President to speak at forum attended by world leaders

President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the upcoming opening ceremony of the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia annual conference and will unveil a slew of China's major measures for its further reform and opening-up, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang confirmed Xi's plan to attend and address the forum at a media briefing on Tuesday about the gathering, which is scheduled for April 8 to 11 in Boao, a coastal town in Hainan province.

Founded in 2001, the forum has become a high-end opportunity for dialogue among political leaders, business executives and senior think tanks about key issues in Asia, and this year's annual conference expects more than 2,000 attendees.

At the first major diplomatic event hosted by China this year, Xi will elaborate on how the country achieved and will further promote its reform and opening-up, Wang said.

As Socialism with Chinese Characteristics enters a new era, the Chinese side will brief attending guests on the profound contents of the new era, China's goals and tasks as well as opportunities it will bring to the world, Wang said.

At the forum, Xi will meet with foreign leaders and officials of international organizations, have a group meeting with the Forum's directors and hold a symposium with entrepreneurs.

It will be the third time Xi attends the Forum's annual conference as Chinese president, a sign of great support for the forum by the Chinese government and its top leader, Wang said.

During his address at the annual conference in 2013, Xi spoke on a key concept — building a community with a shared future. At the forum in 2015, Xi elaborated on building such a community for Asia and for the world.

This year, Xi will further explain China's position on how to tackle existing challenges and promote the buildup of the community, Wang said.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Mongolian Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will attend, according to Wang.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde are expected to attend, as well.