Source: People's Daily

04-19-2007 18:05

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2007 with the theme "Asia Winning in Today's Global Economy - Innovation and Sustainable Development" is to be held from April 20 to 22 in Boao, a coastal town and the permanent BFA site in Hainan Province, south China.

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:

1998: Former Prime Minister of Australia Robert James Lee Hawke, former President of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, and former Prime Minister of Japan Hosokawa Morihiro propose the launch of the BFA.

Feb. 27, 2001: The BFA is officially established, with the Declaration on the BFA adopted by delegates from 26 founding member countries. Chinese President Jiang Zemin addresses and presents a poem at the inauguration ceremony.

April 11, 2002: An 11-member board of directors for the BFA is elected, with former 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 is held with the theme "New Century, New Challenge, A New Asia", attended by more than 1,900 delegates from 48 countries and regions. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji gives a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Jan. 20, 2003: Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Long Yongtu is elected secretary-general at a board of directors meeting in Tokyo, Japan.

Sept. 22, 2003: The BFA International Convention Center officially opens.

Nov. 1, 2003: At a general assembly in Boao, the BFA constitution is adopted.

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

April 24-25, 2004: The annual conference is held in Boao, 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 is held in Boao, 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, delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

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

 

Editor:Li Yang