The Asian development path with a win-win modality and commitment is roaring ahead as a choice of Asian nations, Fidel V. Ramos, chairman of the BFA (Boao Forum for Asia) Board, said Sunday afternoon.

Ramos made the remarks in his closing statement for the BFA annual conference 2004 in Boao, a small scenic town in China's southernmost island province of Hainan.

Ramos said that Asia needs to further open up and liberalize, and bring about structural reforms for accelerating the pace of its development.

Over 1,000 senior politicians, scholars and business people from Asia and the other parts of the world attended the two-day meeting which started Saturday morning.

The forum has provided a necessary platform for exchange of views between top leaders of government and businesses on vital issues and areas.

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a keynote speech at the opening session.

Long Yongtu, general secretary of BFA from China, said that there is still a long way to go for the forum to become an internationally influential event, but the orientation of its development has been set.

BFA was officially established in February, 2001 and the first annual conference was held in April, 2002.

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2004)