A photo taken on April 10 shows the Sofitel Boao Hotel in Boao Asia Forum International Conference Center.

President Hu Jintao (L Front)) holds a welcoming ceremonyfor Tongan King Taufa'ahau Tupou V (R Front) in Sanya, Hainan Province, April 10, 2008.

Vincent Siew, chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, waves as he arrives at Meilan Airport in Haikou, Hainan Province, April 11, 2008.

 Annual Conference of Boao Forum Opens, Focusing on 'Green Asia'

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2008 opened on 12 April , in south China's Hainan Province, focusing on the building of a "Green Asia".

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered the keynote speech, "Continuing reform and opening-up and advancing win-win cooperation", at the opening ceremony.

He introduced to the audience China's achievements of reform and opening-up over the past 30 years, and the historic changes in the country's relations with the rest of the world.

The poor rural population in China had dropped from over 250 million to about 10 million, Hu said.

Calling China the biggest developing country in the world, Hu said there was still a long way to go before it could basically achieve modernization and bring about common prosperity to all its people.

Hu said China was dedicated to building a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, and would firmly keep to the path of peaceful development.

He called on Asian countries to take five steps in increasing cooperation, which included enhancing political mutual trust, deepening economic cooperation, meeting challenges together, increasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and adhering to a policy of openness.

Foreign state and government leaders also spoke at the opening. Most stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation against global warming, as well as stronger economic ties between different countries and regions.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia and other countries should make joint efforts in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development, including the protection of forests.

Every country has its own challenges, but climate change is believed to be the biggest moral and economic one, he said.

More than 1,700 politicians, business leaders, intellectuals and journalists from around the globe gathered in the scenic town for the conference that concludes on Sunday.

Under the theme of "Green Asia: moving towards win-win through changes", the participants will discuss public-private partnerships in green energy sector, financial reform, and corporate social responsibility.

The forum also features climate change, the future of the Internet and the intense competition in global markets.

Established in 2001, the BFA is a pan-Asian platform of dialogue for key issues relating to Asia and the world.