The 10th Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference will be held from April 14 to 16 in Boao, Hainan, China. The theme will be "Inclusive Development: Common Agenda & New Challenges." It is the first annual meeting after the re-election of the Board of Directors of BFA. Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend the opening ceremony of the forum for the third time.

This year, the BFA will be held jointly with the third BRICS Leaders' Meeting. BRICS is a group acronym that refers to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which are all considered to be at the same stage of economic development. The adding of the emerging economies to the BFA is an important attempt to increase the importance and influence of the Forum. As the international financial crisis loosened the existing framework of international relations, developed countries face structural crises, and emerging powers stand poised to become the driving force of world development.

Since it was established in February 2001, the BFA has gone through ten years of significant history. As the only China-based non-government, non-profit international organization, it provides a platform for political, business and academia from different backgrounds, viewpoints and economic philosophies to exchange ideas on an equal basis.

Ten years ago, the Taiwan Commercial Times reported that the real purpose of the BFA is to "promote the development of Boao as well as its nearby waters �C thus to enhance Hainan's economic growth. That projection now appears quite accurate as the BFA has done much to boost the development of Hainan Island, but its role goes beyond that.

The BFA has greatly enhanced the popularity of Boao and Hainan, and thus driven the rapid development and continuous upgrading of the local tourism and service industries. Since the establishment of the Forum, Boao has emerged quietly from a deserted fishing village into a city that hosts world-class exhibitions and conferences. Boao and Hainan's growth has received media attention that not only helps Hainan to gain extensive access to the most advanced concepts of development but also attracts investment.

In early 2010, a national strategy was implemented to build Hainan into a top international tourism destination. As the most convenient exit and entry port, Hainan gives visa exemptions to 26 countries, including South Korea, Germany and Russia. This year Hainan introduced a pilot tax refund policy that gives an 11-percent tax rebate for overseas tourists. The policy will no doubt attract more foreign tourists.