April 8, 2002	Monday	Muharram 24, 1423

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BEIJING, April 7: China seeks Pakistan’s support to develop BOAO, an important forum for strengthening of regional economic cooperation.

We consider Pakistan an important country for promoting regional cooperation and hope it would continue to play an active role in achieving progress and prosperity in Asia, said a senior official of the Boao Economic Forum. Boao is venue in China Hainan Province, where the forum is to meet every year on regular basis.

He told newsmen here on Sunday that Pakistan was officially invited to participate in the forthcoming BOAO’s meeting, scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the organizers were informed that Pakistan would not be able to attend the conference this time, the official added.

Boao is likely to emerge as a forum for developing regional economic cooperation and it is very important for Pakistan to take part in its proceedings at the official level. Over 1,400 prominent world leaders, including Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Japanese Prime Minister Junichino Koizumi, Prime Minister Thanksin Shinawatra of Thailand, Prime Minister Lee Han-do Republic of Korea, will be attending the meeting.

The theme of the Boao annual meeting has been set as New Century, challenges, New Asia the Economic Cooperation and Development.

The participants will discuss a wide-range of issues, relating to cooperation, industrial development, the facilitation of trade and investment, financial cooperation in Asia.—APP