The Bo'ao Forum for Asia 2009 will be held in Boao County, in south China's Hainan Province from Friday to Sunday.

Since 2001 the forum has been attended by 25 Asian countries and Australia.

1,600 delegates are expected this year.

More than 300 volunteers and staff are on duty at hotels and the forum venue.

SOUNDBITE: Zoubin, General Manager of Cosco Boao limited co. "Since last December, we repaired all the facilities according to a strict timetable. All the work has been done according to the plan. We guarantee that there will be a successful forum."

More than 600 reporters have registered for this year's forum.

The forum's theme is "Economic crisis and Asia, challenge and future."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend and give a speech.

11 heads of state and more than 50 ministers from around the world will attend.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hainan.

(XHTV April 17, 2009)