Rising Asian Awareness Conducive to Asia, World

The Boao Forum for Asia, the first non-governmental, open international organization for Asian countries, was inaugurated in Boao, Qionghai of Hainan Province, Tuesday morning.

Government leaders, former government leaders, as well as representatives of 25 Asian countries, including Chinese President Jiang Zemin attended the inaugural ceremony.

The fact that leaders and representatives of so many Asian countries gathered together to discuss problems in Asia illustrates an active response from different Asian countries to the concept of a forum for Asia. Such an event of historical significance has also sent forth a signal: "Asian awareness" has been rising and expanding.

For a long time, due to over-emphasis on differences in history, culture, society and the economy, some experts believe Asia lacked the conditions to establish regional organizations. But, the inauguration of the Boao Forum for Asia has changed their view, and as a matter of fact, the diversity of Asia is the foundation that has prompted Asian countries to step up communication and cooperation.

Economic globalization, with features such as liberalized trade, internationalization of production and global financial market, has become the trend of the world economic development.

However, developing countries often complain most of the benefits brought along by globalization have flown into developed countries. Under such conditions, "Asian awareness" is necessary for Asian countries to cope with economic globalization by pursuing the utmost profits and avoiding harms.

In fact, amid the Asian financial crisis that took place three years ago, the Chinese Government had adopted a range of responsible measures such as keeping the exchange rates of Chinese currency stable, which showed to Asian countries the importance of "Asian awareness."

Just as in the declaration passed at the preparatory meeting for the Boao Forum for Asia held Monday, nurturing the concept of intra-regional institutional networking and promoting region-wide strategic alliance have been listed as important missions of the forum.

With confidence in the prospects of Asia, such a fact is worth noticing: in Europe where there is a strong "European awareness," different countries are removing trade barriers, and going all out to advance the flow of commodities, funds and personnel.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad, who was especially invited to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia, recently put forward a concept of "new globalization," stressing that globalization should be conducive to the establishment of a more rational new world order, and should also make sure that more and more people are benefiting, with fewer and fewer people suffering.

Absolute globalization that is not commanded by reason or justice might turn into the world's biggest danger, said the Malaysian Prime Minister.

Observers believe that rising "Asian awareness" serves as a tool to balance the lopsided globalization, demonstrating the efforts of Asia, with the most population and the largest number of poor people, in constructing a just, rational new world economic order.

Such efforts are not only in accord with the interests of Asia, but also are in line with the overall interests of the world's economic development. Experts hold a common view that the Boao Forum for Asia will surely intensify economic exchanges and cooperation between Asia and other regions of the world, while advancing communication and cooperation among different Asian countries.

Dialogues, coordination and cooperation will not only be conducive to prosperity in Asia, but also be certain to create even more business and development opportunities for the whole world, said the experts.

Government leaders and specialists of many countries are confident that the focus in the world economy is shifting to Asia which is considered to be one of the regions with the utmost vitality in the world. The fast growing Asian economy will enhance Asian countries' capacities to combat risks, and expand the regional and global trade.

Regionalism in Asia should be welcomed and supported by different countries in the world.

Fidel Ramos, former Filipino president and also one of the people who initiated the Forum for Asia, said in an interview with Xinhua that other regions of the world might expect the success of the forum in Asia, since Asia is one of the regions with the utmost vitality, despite its huge population and a large number of poor people.

Not only can Asian countries benefit by intensifying cooperation, newly found business opportunities and new technologies revealed via discussions, the entire world would also absorb meaningful views from Asia.

It is certain that Asian countries' interdependence and increased regional cooperation will play an active role in promoting peace and development in Asia, and a more united Asia will be conducive to common development of the world.






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