Boao Forum for
Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2003 opened Sunday in southernmost
China's Hainan
Province.
Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao and a number of leaders of Asian countries attended the
conference, along with some 1,200 Chinese and foreign delegates
from the business and academic circles.
Premier Wen Jiabao says in his speech that?mutual support
is the key to Asia's rejuvenation. He also urges Asian countries to
open their markets wider to each other and achieve development and
common prosperity through cooperation.
"Asian countries should give their respective strengths, open
their markets to each other's advantages amid competition and
achieve common development through cooperation. The developed
counties should provide more funds and technical support to
developing countries, helping them to achieve growth and enhance
their capacity to participate in international economic cooperation
and competition."
He also stressed the need to strengthen regional and
sub-regional cooperation and exchanges on the basis of mutual
benefit, and promote greater opening to the rest of the world.
Asia has 60 percent of the world's population. But its economic
size only accounts of 25 percent of the world's total.
As for China, the Premier says China will stick to the
opening-up policy, honor its WTO commitment, make its market more
accessible with improved investment environment and better business
conditions for Asia and other entrepreneurs. He also encourages
Chinese enterprises to invest overseas.
(CRI November 2, 2003)