Backgrounder: Chronology of Boao Forum for Asia

BOAO, Hainan, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2010 with the theme "Green Recovery: Asia's Realistic Choice for Sustainable Growth" will officially open Saturday in Boao, a coastal town and the permanent BFA site in south China’s island province of Hainan.

As a non-government, non-profit international organization, BFA is a forum for government, business and academic leaders in Asia and other continents to share opinions on pressing issues in the region and the world. It is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

Major events in the history of the BFA include:

Feb. 27, 2001: The BFA was officially established, with the Declaration on the BFA adopted by delegates from 26 founding members. Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin addressed and presented a poem at the inauguration ceremony.

April 11, 2002: An 11-member board of directors for the BFA was elected, with former Philippine President Fidel Ramos as chairman and former Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Zhang Xiang as secretary-general.

April 12-13, 2002: The first BFA annual conference was held with the theme "New Century, New Challenge, A New Asia", attended by more than 1,900 delegates from 48 countries and regions. Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Nov. 2-3, 2003: The BFA Annual Conference 2003 was held, with the theme "Asia seeking common development through cooperation". Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed the opening ceremony.

April 24-25, 2004: The annual conference was held, with the theme "Asia searching for win-win: Asia opens to the world." Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a keynote speech at the opening.

April 22-24, 2005: The annual conference was held, with the theme "Asia searching for win-win: the new role for Asia". Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s top advisory body, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

April 21-23, 2006: The annual conference was held, with the theme "Asia searching for win-win: drive growth to the next level". Former Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong delivered a keynote speech.

April 20-22, 2007: The annual conference was held, with the theme "Asia Winning in Today’s Global Economy - Innovation and Sustainable Development". China’s top legislator Wu Bangguo delivered a keynote speech.

April 12-13, 2008: The annual conference was held, with the theme "Green Asia: moving towards win-win through changes". President Hu delivered a keynote speech.

April 17-19, 2009: The annual conference was held, with the theme "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis". Premier Wen delivered a keynote speech.