Asian Leaders Discuss Climate and Reform in Boao

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), which is called the Asian version of Davos Forum, holds its 7th Annual Conference in Boao, an island of southern Chinese province of Hainan, from April 11 to 13.

China is expected to show off its rapidly growing status in the international society via this first major international event of 2008. China will hold several major events including the Beijing Olympic Games in August, the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos” in September and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in October.

Unprecedentedly, the Boao Forum invited 2,000 politicians and businesspeople from 39 nations.

The leaders of some 11 nations will participate in the forum, including China’s President Hu Jintao, who participates in the forum for the first time in four years, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Participants from the global business community include SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Volvo CEO Leif Johanson, Ericsson Chairman Michael Treschow and Toyota Motor Corporation Vice Chairman Katsuhiro Nakagawa.

From Korea, some 20 businessmen including Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Yun-woo and SK Telecom CEO Kim Shin-bae will go to Boao to attend the event.

The forum, consisting of a general discussion on Friday and opening ceremony and team discussion sessions on Saturday, has the theme of “Green Asia, Moving Towards Win-Win Through Changes.”

China will promote its efforts to protect the environment and try to come up with measures to deal with global issues including climate change, through the general discussion session, and forums covering environment-friendly energy, financial reform and innovation, “Green Asia,” and China’s 30 years of reform and prospects.

Long Yongtu, secretary general of the BFA, said “Green, change and mutual prosperity are three major trends of the international society. Governments, corporations and individuals will cooperate to find measures to make an effective use of energy resources and achieve sustainable development.”

Chinese President Hu will meet with Taiwan’s 12th Vice President-elect Vincent Siew, who participates in the forum as director of the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, Saturday and discuss how to restore relations of the two nations.

orionha@donga.com bonhong@donga.com