Leaders take a family photo before the opening plenary of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2009 in Boao, a scenic town in south China's Hainan Province, on April 18, 2009. The BFA Annual Conference 2009 opened in Sanya on Saturday with the theme of "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis". [Xinhua photo]

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2009 officially opened in the scenic Boao town of south China's Hainan Province on Saturday, focusing on the role of Asian countries, especially emerging economies in this region, amid the global financial crisis.

Although Asian leaders lost a chance to discuss a prescription for the financial crisis at the ruined ASEAN summit in Thailand, the BFA undoubtedly offers a platform for political and business leaders to seek the "Asian value" in tackling the worst global economic turmoil in seven decades.

At the G20 London summit two weeks ago, voices of the emerging economies were heard by the developed countries on an unprecedented scale. However, that was far from enough. As another international convention focusing on financial crisis, the BFA Conference held from Friday to Sunday provide another opportunity for emerging Asian economies to better voice their views.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a keynote speech, "Strengthen confidence and deepen cooperation for win-win progress", at the opening plenary meeting.

He said that the conference, with "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis" as its theme, is a highly important one. It will contribute to the efforts to build consensus, strengthen confidence, deepen cooperation and overcome the crisis.