The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Bangkok Conference was held on July 11 in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, with the aim of boosting Asia's regional economic integration.
The conference, under the theme of "Asian Regional Cooperation: New Challenges, New Approach," gathered more than 400 representatives from 13 countries and regions, including China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The representatives also discussed new approaches to deepening regional economic cooperation and fueling regional economic development under the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013.
Zeng Peiyan, the BFA's vice chairman and former Chinese Vice Premier, said that the initiative gives new visions and impetus to economic globalization and regional economic integration.
The initiative helps Asian countries to align their development plans, shape an integrated regional market, enhance infrastructure connectivity, improve trade and investment mechanisms and develop sound financial services and security systems, Zeng noted, while calling on Asian countries to seize new opportunities arising from the initiative to enhance regional competitiveness and integrate into economic globalization.
Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said that all Asian countries have the responsibility to seek new solutions to economic globalization and boost world economic growth in a more inclusive, equal, balanced, green and sustainable way.
"The Belt and Road Initiative calls for expanding regional and inter-regional cooperation in various areas and offers new guiding principles for economic globalization," Pramudwinai noted.
Jusuf Wanandi, a senior fellow and co-founder of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Indonesia believes that the Belt and Road Initiative will bring huge opportunities for Asian regional cooperation.
"China has rich experience and great outcomes in infrastructure development," Wanandi said, stressing that Asian countries can foster more cooperation through the initiative, which is inclusive and welcoming participation from all.