Boao Forum opens in Qingdao
The Boao Forum for Asia Global Energy and Resources Roundtable was successfully held in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China’s Shandong province, on Nov 4.
The roundtable is set to make a comprehensive evaluation of medium and long-term trends of global energy and resources as well as to explore dialogue channels on energy and resources.
All participants agreed great uncertainties still lie in energy supply due to international political and economic turmoil. Since the beginning of this year, riots in west Asia and north Africa have resulted in great oil price fluctuations, causing new problems in the way of economic recovery.
"The problems of energy and resources have been globalized, and no single country can settle them on its own. All countries need to involve themselves in the international cooperation to ensure energy safety," said Zhou Wenzhong, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia.
A consensus was reached that efforts should be made to undertake unrestricted dialogues on energy and resources, and that the Boao Forum should serve as a channel to gather wisdom and solutions from experts, entrepreneurs and government officials.
The forum also highlighted regional cooperation and integration in the field of energy and resources.
Wang Haiyun, emeritus council member of China Foundation for International Studies, described his ideal new international energy order as stable, reasonable and mutually beneficial.
"All countries should maintain the stability of resource-producing countries and the international energy market to establish a reasonable energy pricing system between developed and emerging countries. In addition, equal access should be given to countries investing in energy-producing countries," Wang said.
Wang also suggested the Boao Forum for Asia set up a multilateral cooperative system to promote cooperation among countries in the energy sector.
Another objective of the 2011 annual meeting was to promote "tolerant development", a more equal development pattern, to benefit all countries, especially those underdeveloped.
It is foreseeable that Asia will enjoy continuous, fast economic development with an annual average growth rate of 7.3 percent; however, the gap between the rich and the poor is still widening.
Zhu added, according to the annual report from Asia Development Bank this year, the financial crisis has plagued peoples' livelihoods and has added to difficulties in reducing the number of the poor. The Boao Forum for Asia will play a leading role in narrowing the gap between Asian countries.
The Boao Forum for Asia, launched by Australia and 25 Asian countries, has gone through a passage of ten years, during which the voice of Asia has been raised to a large extent in the world. The forum has been elevated to one of the most important economic forums in the world, attended by over 1,500 country leaders, experts and entrepreneurs from all over the world every year.
Over the past decade, the Boao Forum for Asia has contributed greatly to exchanges among Asian countries and beyond, and it is playing an increasingly important role in promoting common prosperity and mutual benefits to Asian countries.
"This is the first time for the roundtable to be held in Qingdao, whose port is known for its oil and iron ore handling capacity. The Qingdao government has spared no efforts in the preparation, which ensures the success of the forum," Zhou said
