This year's Boao Forum for Asia begins on Friday in South China's Hainan Province. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will deliver a keynote speech at the forum. The forum secretary-general Long Yongtu says this year's forum will focus on the financial crisis.

The eighth Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference will attract 16-hundred delegates. This year's theme is "Asia: Managing beyond crisis". Delegates will discuss the challenges and prospects for Asia during the global economic crisis.

Long Yongtu, Secretary-General of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference said "One feature of the forum is that we will look at the global financial crisis from the emerging economies' perspectives. So, we have arranged special meetings. For example, the reform issues for emerging economies and the global financial system, which is a very important topic."

Leaders of 13 countries, including Finland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Thailand and Mongolia, will attend the three-day conference.

Long Yongtu said "We have a lot of heads and ministers from Asian countries. Our Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the forum. Also, we have invited two distinguished guests, one is former US president George W. Bush, who will give us a presentation on the prospects for the next stage of the financial crisis. Another one is Yasuo Fukuda, the former prime minister of Japan."

The Boao Forum for Asia held its first annual conference in April 2001. The forum has developed into one of the most important forums, especially in the Asian region.

(CCTV April 17, 2009)