Boao Forum to seek economic co-op in Asia
By Hu Xiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-30 00:47

The annual Boao Forum for Asia, which will be held from April 24 to 25 in South China's Hainan Province, will try to find a focus for future economic co-operation in Asia.

At a press conference in Beijing Monday, Long Yongtu, secretary-general of the forum, said the forum focuses on win-win solutions because Asian countries are looking to expand economic co-operation efforts.

The Boao Forum for Asia would build upon the two summit meetings of heads of states and entrepreneurs, furthering development of Asia, Long said.

Two sub-forums will be held during the conference. One for trade ministers and another on "China's Peaceful Rise and Economic Globalization."

The secretary-general said this year's conference will attract more high-ranking delegates to discuss the latest issues.

About 1,000 participants, including government officials from Asia, successful business leaders and economists from around the world, have already confirmed they will attend the event, said Long.

In order to echo the theme "An Asia Open to the World," the coming conference also invited some leaders outside Asia. The confirmed attendees include Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, George H.W. Bush, former president of the US and Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, etc.

Important issues of common concern in Asia will be covered in plenary conferences, seminars and round-table meetings, Long said, including co-operation in the IT industry, the supply chain in Asia and financial co-operation, future development in sectors of energy and culture and economic co-operation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

The three-year-old Boao Forum for Asia, the only non-official international organization in Asia, serves as a unique platform for dialogue about Asian issues.

The forum is supposed to be an authoritative think-tank organization and the highest dialogue platform for exploring Asian issues.

In addition to the annual conference, the forum includes seminars and conferences to look at common problems that have emerged during regional economic co-operation and integration in Asia.

In light of fruitful achievements and authority on Asian issues, the forum has also deepened its co-operation with such international organizations as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and World Tourism Organization.

So far, many of the world's renowned research institutes and enterprises have become members of the forum, which adds to the forum's impact on Asian affairs.

"It is a world-wide platform for discussion of Asia affairs, not only a forum for Asian people," said Long.

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