Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 in the coastal town of Boao, in China's Hainan Province. President Xi expressed his wish to work with regional leaders to build a better future for Asia and the world.

The theme of this year's forum is "Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation." President Xi said the theme is highly relevant. In the 12 years since its establishment, the Boao Forum for Asia has become an important platform with growing global influence. Xi said he hopes that the government, business and academic leaders in attendance can better use this platform to contribute to the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 in the coastal town of Boao, in China's Hainan Province.

Xi Jinping, Chinese President, said, "I hope you will engage in an in-depth discussion about promoting development in Asia and beyond and thus contribute, with your vision and commitment, to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world at large."

Xi Jinping also noted that Asia is one of the most dynamic and most promising regions in the world. In recent years, Asia has contributed to over half of global growth, instilling much needed confidence in the world.

However, he added, the region still faces many difficulties in boosting both its own development and its cooperation with other regions.

Xi Jinping, Chinese President, said, "Asia needs to transform and upgrade its development model in keeping with the trend of the times. Sustained development is still of paramount importance to Asia, because only development holds the key to solving the major problems and difficulties the region faces. It is important that we should shift the growth model, adjust the economic structure, make development more cost effective and make life better for our people."

President Xi Jinping's keynote speech also said China is an important member of the Asian and global family. China has become the largest trading partner, the biggest export market and a major source of investment in many Asian countries. And China will make efforts to further boost Asia's prosperity and the world's development.

This year's Boao Forum for Asia is the largest ever. It will be held from April 6th to 8th. More than 10 heads of state from Asia and other regions have been invited to the event, and over 1,400 others are attending the event, including over 1,200 businesspeople.

Meanwhile, the number of sub-sessions scheduled during the forum has increased by 25 percent. Topics at the sessions are more diverse, covering issues ranging from Asian cooperation and the debt crisis to public diplomacy and the power of honesty.