Boao annual conference opens, urging Asian countries to cooperate in financial crisis

Delegates attend the opening plenary of Boao Forum for Asia  (BFA) Annual Conference 2009 in Boao, a scenic town in south  China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2009. The BFA Annual  Conference 2009 opened here on Saturday with the theme of  "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis".(Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)

The global economic recovery may be a long and tortuous process, he said.

He called on Asian countries to strengthen financial cooperation and maintain regional financial stability.

More than 1,600 political leaders, business people and academic scholars gathered in the island resort for the conference, which will conclude on Sunday.

Delegates will discuss the effect of the crisis on Asia, the steps taken by Asia to weather the challenges effectively, the role of emerging economies in reforming the global financial system, and the balance between financial regulation and innovation.

BFA was established in 2001 as a platform for high-level interaction between political and business leaders from Asia and around the world. It is aimed at promoting the development goals of Asian countries through greater regional economic integration.

Editor:Du Xiaodan