Political, business, and academic leaders are gathering in South China's Hainan Province for this year's Boao Forum for Asia. Premier Li Keqiang will address the opening ceremony.

The theme of the four-day meeting is "Asia's New Future: Identifying New Growth Drivers". Discussions will be around reform, innovation, and sustainable development. Participants will try to explore new ways to reform emerging Asian economies.

Issues include the regional and global financial situation, infrastructure construction, regional free trade and a multilateral trade mechanism. The Forum says its mission is promoting common development among Asian countries through further integration of regional economy.

(CNTV.cn April 8, 2014)