Arroyo Hails China's Initiative to Boost Regional CooperationPhilippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday welcomed the initiative of the Boao Asia Forum in Hainan, China, to strengthen political dialogue and economic cooperation among Asian countries.A press release issued here by the presidential palace quoted Arroyo as saying that a gathering of political, business, social and intellectual leaders, brought together to address economic, social and environmental issues that affect Asian societies in such a context," is not only a much needed platform for concerns within the region, but also represents a valuable complement to the broader international discussion." "As Asia's recovery gets fully underway, the confidence to develop and promote an Asian viewpoint to the global debate has returned. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that the Philippines, long a proponent of regionalization, welcomes the initiative of the Boao Asia Forum," the president said. Arroyo noted that the economic crisis that hit the region and its aftermath, along with the challenges of regionalization and globalization, have indicated that Asian countries must strengthen cooperation and coordination among themselves because their aims, interests and views differ from those in other parts of the world. She expressed the hope that the Boao Asia Forum will facilitate cooperation and coordination on all levels of society by bringing together government, business, the academe, and civil society. "We likewise hope that this forum will be an effective program in promoting a coherent Asian perspective that is based on the hard-won efforts and experience of our peoples," Arroyo said. The Boao Forum for Asia will be established on Tuesday at Boao in Hainan, a special economic zone situated in China's southernmost province. Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos left Monday for Hainan to attend the founding ceremony of the Boao Asia Forum. |
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