China will continue to contribute to the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in 2003 in terms of infrastructure, participants and participation in thematic dialogue in a bid to advance regional cooperation and economic integration in Asia. 

Chen Jinhua, China's chief representative of the Boao Asian Forum, made the remark in an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Beijing Friday.

China made serious commitments in guaranteeing the BFA activities and would fulfill them actively, said Chen, adding that a total of 1.5 billion yuan had been spent in Boao on a 38,000 square meter conference center, a new five-star hotel, a golf court and clubs.

"The first-class infrastructure of the BFA can meet the needs of various activities, and show China's rapid economic growth and fine image," said Chen.

China will send high-ranking officials and representatives to conduct dialogues and exchanges on multiple topics and explore further cooperation with other Asian guests, said Chen.

Chen said that the important issues of common concern in Asia would be covered in four sub-conferences, three theme conferences and 12 sub-topics as well as plenary meetings in the BFA.

According to Chen, those who will attend the annual conference include Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, State Development and Reform Commission Minister Ma Kai, Minister of Information Industry Wang Xudong, Minister of Commerce Lu Fuyuan, Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan, and many business people from China's Fortune 500 enterprises and a number of enterprises from China's top 500 companies.

China formally joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) after the ASEAN-related summit meetings in Bali of Indonesia, said Chen, adding that the BFA hosted by China could, together with the Asian officials, scholars and entrepreneurs, echo the summit meeting in Bali.

Chen said China made an influential diplomatic move by joining the TAC, which mirrored the world's tendency -- globalization and regional cooperation -- and expectations of Asian countries toward China. The theme of this year's annual conference was "Asia Seeking Mutual Development Through Cooperation", which corresponded with the summit meetings in Bali, Chen said.

Chen believed that the BFA, as a non-governmental international organization, would play an important and unique role in boosting regional cooperation and catch the eyes of the world.

The representatives from Asian countries would possibly hold dialogues about such issues as China's exchange rate, trade with China, investment, cooperation in manufacturing, environmental protection and economic assistance, and take advice from Chinese officials, entrepreneurs and scholars, said Chen.

Owing to historical, cultural, religious, national, social and economic differences, the Asian regional integration process lagged behind the same process in Europe and North America, Chen said.

Chen called on the Asian countries to participate in the regional economic cooperation, saying China would play an important role and, together with the other Asian countries, make contributions to Asia's prosperity and development.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2003)