BFA falls at best time for Asian cooperation
( 2003-10-23 21:23) (Xinhua)
The second annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) will be held
during a time when Asian cooperation has presented an unprecedented momentum for
development, said BFA Secretary-General Long Yongtu on Thursday.
He called
the meeting "very timely", indicating that it will be held after two key
international meetings, namely, the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations
meetings in early October and just- concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
meeting.
Long said at a press conference that the second annual BFA meeting,
to be held from Nov. 2 to 3, will echo the above two meetings, and contribute to
pushing forward the Asian regional cooperation.
So far, over 1,000
participants from the government, business and academic circles and media have
confirmed they will attend, and five heads of states, four vice prime ministers
and nine former heads of states are included. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will be
present at the meeting.
Long said that taking "Development through
Cooperation" as the theme, the participants will discuss Asian financial
cooperation, regional free trade, information and tourism industry
cooperation.
The BFA is the only non-official and non-commercial
international organization in Asia. The second BFA annual meeting will be held
in Boao, a small town in South China's Hainan Province.
Li Lihui, Hainan
deputy governor, told the reporter that his province is capable of hosting the
international conference.
Besides the international meeting center in Boao, a
group of hotels with a total of 1,500 guest rooms have been built up. Two
highways connecting Boao with the airport have also begun operation, he
said.
He added that the work relating to security, public health and service
in Boao will also be strengthened.
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