China for regional cooperation

Boao, April 22:

China called for stronger cooperation among Asian nations Saturday at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Meeting 2006. China, as the world’s largest developing country, is seeking closer mutual support and partnership with other Asian countries in the course of promoting peace and common development of the region, said Chinese vice-president Zeng Qinghong at the opening ceremony of the forum here.

China is a part of Asia, and Asia’s harmony and prosperity “go hand in hand with China’s peaceful development,” he said. He further told the gathering that China would stick to the principle of building good relationship with neighbours and the policy of fostering a harmonious, secure and prosperous environment.

“We will actively participate in Asian intra-regional cooperation, explore effective ways of achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes for all Asian countries, and promote a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation,” Zeng said. In order to achieve mutual benefit and development for Asia, Zeng called on governments and peoples of every Asian nation to make unremitting efforts in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation to promote common and sustainable development. He said they should strive for harmonious coexistence while maintaining the diversity in the region, but continue to be inclusive and open to the whole world. The Boao forum has been held annually on China’s southern island province of Hainan since 2002.

Around 850 Chinese and overseas officials, businessmen and scholars are present at the meet, which carries the theme of “Asia searching for win-win: new opportunities for Asia. It has become an important platform for political, business and academic communities from countries and areas in Asia to conduct dialogue and exchange views, increase mutual understanding, expand mutual trust and promote regional cooperation,” Zeng said of the forum.

ADB, Boao forum ink MoU

BOAO: ADB and the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to strengthen cooperation between the two organisations. ADB president Haruhiko Kuroda and BFA secretary general Long Yongtu signed the MoU at the BFA Annual Conference being held at Boao from saturday until Sunday. An enhanced partnership between the two institutions will strengthen capacities in both organisations, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of their respective resources. ADB and BFA will collaborate on areas of mutual interest, focusing on their shared priorities and using their comparative strengths and advantages. They believe that cooperation in developing knowledge products and services, with a focus on trade and investment related activities, will help realize common aims to pursue the objective of assisting regional economic cooperation and integration in Asia. — HNS