A sleepy fishing village in China's southernmost Hainan province, has been transformed into a "forum town". Boao is the seat of the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia.

2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of the Boao Forum for Asia.

The theme this year is "Inclusive Development: Common Agenda and New Challenges".

Government, business and academic leaders from around Asia attended the opening ceremony.

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a keynote speech.

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2011 annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, April 15, 2011. [Li Xueren/Xinhua]

Hu Jintao, Chinese President, said, "The Boao Forum for Asia was launched ten years ago with the concerted efforts of organizations and individuals from across Asia. It's an important symbol of the growing solidarity and desire for cooperation in Asia. In the ten years since, the BFA has played an important role in building consensus in Asia, making Asia's voice heard and promoting Asian cooperation. It has become one of the most influential economic forums in the world."

President Hu noted the region is enjoying prosperous economy, greater social progress and broader prospects for development. But he also said the region still confronts a number of problems and challenges.

Hu Jintao, Chinese President, said, "Asia also faces prominent structural problems in its economy, serous imbalances in development, intermittent regional hotspot issues and a multitude of traditional and non-traditional security challenges. As the trend towards multi-polarity and economic globalization deepens, the people of Asia have the major task of maintaining both development and stability. That is why the theme of the year's BFA annual conference - Inclusive Development: Common Agenda & New Challenges' is so relevant."

Hu briefly introduced China's economic and social development plan for the next five years, saying the nation will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening-up, and build good-neighborly partnerships.

A total of 23 sessions are expected to be held within the current conference program, including a main agenda, six sessions on China, six on specific fields like media and education, and ten hot issues of common concern.

The BFA has grown into one of the world's most influential economic forums and has made positive contributions in promoting regional economic cooperation and strengthening dialogue and cooperation between Asia and other regions in the world.