Boao Asia Forum Inauguration OpensAsia Forum, the first international conference organization that has chosen a location in China as its permanent venue, was inaugurated in Boao, Qionghai City of Hainan Island Province, Tuesday morning.Chinese President Jiang Zemin attended the inauguration ceremony and gave a speech. Also present at the function were other Chinese celebrities, including Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chen Jinhua, and foreign guests from 26 countries, including Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal, and Malaysian Prime Minister Ddatuk Seri Mahathir Bin Mohamad, both of whom are here at the invitation of the Chinese Government, as well as former Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, former Filipino President Fidel Ramos, and the forum's Secretary-General Ajit Singh. As an unofficial, non-profitable, open and regular international conference organization, Boao Asia Forum will serve as a platform for high-level dialogue where representatives of different Asian countries discuss issues concerning regional economic development, population and the environment in Asia. Boao Asia Forum was initiated in 1998 by former Prime Minister of Australia Robert James Lee Hawke, former President of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, and former Prime Minister of Japan Hosokawa Morihiro. |
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