Hainan seeks active role in BFA
Hainan Island, the location of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is determined to boost its reputation through a more active role in the Forum.
'Hainan International Tourism Island requires more intellectual support, and I think we can get the needed resources from the BFA', said Chen Ci, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Haikou Municipal Committee.
'Hainan should play a more active role in the BFA,' he said.
China's only tropical island province in the South China Sea has a goal to reach the status of a top international tourism destination by the end of 2020.
Chen stated that it is important for Hainan to know more about the world, and adapt itself to the international tourism environment in order to meet the demands of different consumption patterns by the diverse cultures of its target tourists.
'We should not only focus on catering, perfecting the surroundings and reception, but also take part in a range of things like design, discussion and review of topics proposed at the meeting, join actively in the discussions with representatives from all walks of life to introduce to Hainan some of the most advanced ideas and intellectual supports which are most needed now,' said Chen.
Modelled after the World Economic Forum, the BFA was developed to enable leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on important issues within the region and worldwide. While the Secretariat is based in Beijing, the fixed address of the annual meetings is in Boao in Hainan Province.
Developed in 1998 by Bob Hawke, former Australian Prime Minister, and Fidel V. Ramos, former President of the Philippines, the Forum aims to bring Asian countries closer to their development goals by promoting regional economic integration.
Since its initiation, the BFA has grown to become an important platform for China to conduct cooperation with other countries in the region. Discussions at the Forum focus on economics, cooperation, society, the environment and integration.
The BFA has put the previously little-known Boao on the international map, marking it as an important site of world cooperation, discussion and progress in the Asia region.
Hainan is China's only tropical province and is located on the same latitude as Hawaii in the South China Sea. Over the past decade the island has seen dramatic changes as part of the Chinese Government's 10-year plan to develop the island to an international tourism destination the likes of Phuket, Bali or Hawaii by 2020. It has since made a name for itself as an important destination hosting numerous politics events including the 2011 BRICS summit.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|