China will continue to
contribute to the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia
(BFA) in 2003 in terms of infrastructure, participants and
participation in thematic dialogue in a bid to advance regional
cooperation and economic integration in Asia.?
Chen Jinhua, China's
chief representative of the Boao Asian Forum, made the remark in an
exclusive interview with Xinhua in Beijing Friday.
China made serious
commitments in guaranteeing the BFA activities and would fulfill
them actively, said Chen, adding that a total of 1.5 billion yuan
had been spent in Boao on a 38,000 square meter conference center,
a new five-star hotel, a golf court and clubs.
"The first-class
infrastructure of the BFA can meet the needs of various activities,
and show China's rapid economic growth and fine image," said
Chen.
China will send
high-ranking officials and representatives to conduct dialogues and
exchanges on multiple topics and explore further cooperation with
other Asian guests, said Chen.
Chen said that the
important issues of common concern in Asia would be covered in four
sub-conferences, three theme conferences and 12 sub-topics as well
as plenary meetings in the BFA.
According to Chen, those
who will attend the annual conference include Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao, State Development and Reform Commission Minister Ma Kai,
Minister of Information Industry Wang Xudong, Minister of Commerce
Lu Fuyuan, Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan,
and many business people from China's Fortune 500 enterprises and a
number of enterprises from China's top 500 companies.
China formally joined
the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) after
the ASEAN-related summit meetings in Bali of Indonesia, said Chen,
adding that the BFA hosted by China could, together with the Asian
officials, scholars and entrepreneurs, echo the summit meeting in
Bali.
Chen said China made an
influential diplomatic move by joining the TAC, which mirrored the
world's tendency -- globalization and regional cooperation -- and
expectations of Asian countries toward China. The theme of this
year's annual conference was "Asia Seeking Mutual Development
Through Cooperation", which corresponded with the summit meetings
in Bali, Chen said.
Chen believed that the
BFA, as a non-governmental international organization, would play
an important and unique role in boosting regional cooperation and
catch the eyes of the world.
The representatives from
Asian countries would possibly hold dialogues about such issues as
China's exchange rate, trade with China, investment, cooperation in
manufacturing, environmental protection and economic assistance,
and take advice from Chinese officials, entrepreneurs and scholars,
said Chen.
Owing to historical,
cultural, religious, national, social and economic differences, the
Asian regional integration process lagged behind the same process
in Europe and North America, Chen said.
Chen called on the Asian
countries to participate in the regional economic cooperation,
saying China would play an important role and, together with the
other Asian countries, make contributions to Asia's prosperity and
development.
?
(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2003)