The annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) concluded on Sunday in China's southern Hainan Province, after rounds of heated discussion on public-private partnerships in green energy sector, financial reform and climate change.

In the closing plenary session entitled "Sustainable development, sustainable partnerships: towards a win-win future", former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell delivered a speech, in which he highly praised the achievements that China has made since its opening and reform in 1978.

China would not be a threat to the rest of the world as it emerges as a stronger economy, he said.

The BFA set a new stage for Asia to discuss and address timely issues, he noted, adding that the symposium subjects under the 2008 BFA theme "Green Asia" were all well-selected.

More than 1,700 officials, business leaders, intellectuals and journalists from around the globe gathered in the scenic town of Boao in Hainan for the three-day conference.

Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the opening ceremony and delivered the keynote speech entitled "Continuing Reform and Opening-up and Advancing Win-Win Cooperation".

Foreign state and government leaders also spoke at the opening ceremony. Most stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation in dealing with global warming, as well as stronger economic ties between different countries and regions.

During the forum, under the theme of "Green Asia: moving towards win-win through changes", the participants also discussed topics including corporate social responsibility, the future of the Internet and the intense competition on global markets.

Established in 2001, the BFA is a pan-Asian platform of dialogue for key issues relating to Asia and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2008)