The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference for 2009, to be held in April in south China's Hainan Province, will focus on the impacts of global financial crisis on Asia, Long Yongtu, BFA secretary general, told a press conference Wednesday.

The conference will run from April 17 to 19, with the theme of "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis," according to Long.

Participants at the forum will exchange ideas on issues including the impacts of the financial crisis on Asia, the 2009 economic outlook and how the region can weather the challenges, he said. They will also discuss topics concerning China's economic development.

Established in 2001, the BFA is a pan-Asian platform of dialogue for key issues relating to Asia and the world.

(Xinahua News Agency January 7, 2009)