The Asian development path with a win-win modality and
commitment is roaring ahead as a choice of Asian nations, Fidel V.
Ramos, chairman of the BFA (Boao Forum for Asia) Board, said Sunday
afternoon.
Ramos made the remarks in his closing statement for the BFA
annual conference 2004 in Boao, a small scenic town in China's
southernmost island province of Hainan.
Ramos said that Asia needs to further open up and liberalize,
and bring about structural reforms for accelerating the pace of its
development.
Over 1,000 senior politicians, scholars and business people from
Asia and the other parts of the world attended the two-day meeting
which started Saturday morning.
The forum has provided a necessary platform for exchange of
views between top leaders of government and businesses on vital
issues and areas.
Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a keynote speech at the
opening session.
Long Yongtu, general secretary of BFA from China, said that
there is still a long way to go for the forum to become an
internationally influential event, but the orientation of its
development has been set.
BFA was officially established in February, 2001 and the first
annual conference was held in April, 2002.
(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2004)