China's Foreign Ministry announced that the government will push ahead with its Asian economic integration proposal and forge closer Asian cooperation when the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference opens next week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China will step up efforts to promote regional cooperation and introduce key measures to further develop the country's economy during the BFA, which is set in Hainan Province from 8 April to 11 April.

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With China's initiatives, Lei said the government is hopeful that other participants in the forum will join in the discussion and reach consensus on how to maintain growth momentum in Asia. China has been pushing for a regional integration that it says will further promote economic growth among Asian countries.

Asia's New Future

The conference, which will carry the theme "Asia's New Future: Identifying New Growth Drivers" will feature discussions on the global financial situation, financial cooperation among Asian nations, infrastructure connectivity, Asian free trade and multilateral trade systems among others.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is expected to attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech on 10 April.

"We hope that conference participants will work together for a better future of Asia," the ministry spokesman told reporters in a regular press briefing.

World Leaders Joining

Among the world leaders expected to join in the four-day conference are Prime Ministers Tonny Abbott of Australia, Serik Akhmetov of Kazakhstan, Jung Hong-won of the Republic of Korea, among others

BFA is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 2001 with the mission of bringing Asian nations closer to their economic development goals.