Asian nations to focus on regional stability- Xi
April 7, 2013, 12:03 pm

China’s president warned that achieving common development for all countries remains an “uphill battle” [Xinhua]

President Jinping on Sunday called on Asian countries to enhance mutual trust and understanding to ensure regional stability and deepen cooperation.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2013 held in Boao, a coastal town in south China’s Hainan Province.

“Stability in Asia now faces new challenges, as hotspot issues keep emerging, and both traditional and non-traditional security threats exist,” Xi said.

“No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains,” said Xi.

Tensions surrounding the recent stand-off in North Korea has prompted Washington to step up military readiness in the region.

President Barack Obama recently called China’s new president, Xi Jinping, as part of an effort to brief the Chinese about American plans to take steps to deter the threats coming from the North, reported The New York Times on Friday evening.

On the economic front, Xi said the international financial sector is fraught with risks and protectionism of various forms is on the rise.

Countries still face many difficulties in adjusting economic structure and the global governance mechanisms call for improvement, he said.

“Achieving common development for all countries remains an uphill battle,” Xi warned.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard is also attending the Boao Forum.

She is leading the most high-powered delegation to China ever sent by Australia, which also includes foreign affairs minister Bob Carr, trade minister Craig Emerson and financial services minister Bill Shorten.

As part of the Australia’s focus on benefitting from the Asian century, Gillard is expected to use the Boao Forum to promote greater trade with China.

Bill Gates, one of the speakers at the Forum praised China for being a leader.

“The breakthrough science and technology that’s happening here in China can help the poorest people in the world lead healthier, more productive lives,” said Gates, who is the co-chair and trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“We see this potential, for example, in vaccines, where China is quickly becoming a leader,” he said.

Gates said the country’s scientific breakthroughs can help Africa and less developed countries battle epidemics, hunger and poverty.

Robert Hormats, US undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and environment, is also among the high-profile guests attending the Boao Forum for Asia.

This Forum, one of Asia’s biggest annual economic meetings, is being held under the theme of “Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation”.

With inputs from Xinhua