President Jiang Zemin made the remarks during a meeting with former Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke, former Filipino President Fidel Ramos, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and Secretary-General of the forum Tan Sri Dato Ajit Singh.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Jiang described the forum as a "beneficial complement" to already existent governmental co-operation mechanisms like the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation and the meeting between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

Ramos echoed Jiang's remarks by predicting the forum will play a significant role in the overall social and economic development of Asia.

The same message also came out during Jiang's meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who came to Bo'ao for the forum's inaugural ceremony.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman quoted Jiang as saying that it is necessary for Asian nations to strengthen co-operation so as to enhance their collective competitiveness and their ability to ward off risks against the backdrop of globalization.

Mahathir, responding to Jiang's remarks, said developing countries should take a more active stance with regard to the reform of international financial and trade systems.

The Bo'ao Forum for Asia provides a channel through which consensus can be reached through consultation so that the interests of these nations can be better safeguarded, Mahathir said.

The forum was initiated by Ramos, Hawke and former Japanese Prime Minister Hosokawa Morihiro in 1998.

The non-official, non-profit conference organization aims to provide a platform for high-level interactions between governmental representatives, business leaders and academic scholars that have an interest in Asia.

During Monday's meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the forum, Malaysian Singh was appointed secretary-general of the forum.

Leaders at the meeting also adopted a declaration, pledging to promote increased interdependence and economic integration of Asia.

Vice-Premier Qian Qichen held separate talks Monday in Bo'ao with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam.

Qian spoke highly of the development of bilateral ties between China and Viet Nam in recent years, citing steady trade expansion and the resolution of border disputes.

Two-way trade between the two countries exceeded US$2 billion last year.

In addition to signing an agreement in 1999 that solved a border dispute over land, the two neighbours also finished negotiations over demarcation in the Beibu Bay last year.

Nguyen Manh Cam, agreeing with Qian, noted the potential yet to be tapped in economic co-operation.

(China Daily 02/27/2001)