The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2006 concluded on
Sunday afternoon in Boao, a coastal town in South China's Hainan Province.
BFA Secretary-General Long Yongtu said the annual conference had
successfully promoted its core values of peaceful development,
harmonious co-existence and cooperation, particularly among the
Asian countries.
Some 850 delegates from 39 countries or regions exchanged views
on major international topics including energy and the World Trade
Organization's Doha talks, Long said.
The non-government forum attracted more business people from
both home and abroad this year than previously. Three quarters of
the delegates were in business and the number of overseas delegates
exceeded that of domestic participants.
The forum also promoted exchanges between related governments
and companies. Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong attended the opening ceremony of
the conference on Saturday and delivered a keynote speech. He vowed
that China would work with other Asian countries to realize
prosperity and harmony.
The BFA had arranged more than 100 meetings and round-table
discussions between government officials and business people over
the three days, said Long. He added that the forum had also covered
issues such as education, culture, health-care and environmental
protection.
The forum also organized for the first time a round-table
meeting for business people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits,
explained Long.
By way of the conference the BFA also enhanced cooperation with
other international organizations such as the World Bank and the
Asia Development Bank, Long added.
The forum was opened by former President of the Philippines,
Fidel Ramos, former Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke and former
Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa.
Ramos and Hawke spoke highly of the 2006 conference, saying it
had helped to promote regional cooperation and would have a
long-term impact on Asia's development.
(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2006)