Influnential forum opens to push Asian development, integration

Participants attending a roundtable discussion with the theme of "Building the Silk Road Consensus" pose for a group photo during the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 26, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has adhered to a peaceful development path.

"We hope to promote the consensus and voice of Asia. No matter how complicated our disputes are, our common interests and future cannot be divided," said Yang Xiyu, vice president of BFA Research Institute.

The "Belt and Road" initiatives have secured the support of nearly 60 countries linked by the routes.

China created a 40 billion US dollar Silk Road Fund designed to finance the initiatives last year.

"The multilateral non-governmental exchange platform will make more people understand the essence of the Belt and Road plan," said Yang.

Despite its growth prospects, Asia has various risks such as territorial disputes between nations and terrorism. If not properly handled, the region's development will be stifled.

The forum voices China's stance on Asian and global issues and expresses significant messages on China's development, director of the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, Chi Fulin said on Thursday.

"Bracing for a new world economic structure, new topics will push forward Asian integration as a community of common destiny," Chi said.

Asia will remain one of the world's most important regions in 10 to 20 years and should combine its development with the global trend, Chi said.

China's proposals suggest that it is shouldering more responsibility as a great power, Chi said.

Chi expects the BFA will be more open to the world and sees a future where western countries will participate in the forum.

"Asia cannot develop without other parts of the world, which closely watch Asia's progress," Chi said.