Xi's speech at Boao draws positive comments

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at a major regional forum in the south of China Sunday has been widely reported by media across the world and captured experts' attention.

Indian media and strategic analysts said Xi's speech at opening of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2013 reaffirmed China's foreign policy, especially its Asian policy under the new leadership.

Tarun Basu, president of Indo-Asian News Service, called it an important policy speech by the new Chinese leader.

"He is reiterating China's peaceful rise that has been its underlying growth philosophy by stating that China will never seek hegemony or expansionism. He also underlined China's commitment to Asia and that it was willing to partner in the growth of the continent," he said.

"It was also notable that he talked of the need for Asia to upgrade its development model and adjust its economic structure so as not to fall into the trap of recession that has gripped a large part of the Western world," he said.

Meanwhile, India's renowned strategic analyst C. Uday Bhaskar said Xi's speech was to be welcomed. His vision on harmonious cooperation and co-existence among members of the global community could have immense global impact, he said.

"I hope that his vision is implemented in an earnest manner and will be soon realized. The success of this initiative will have significant repercussions for the Chinese people and the world at large," he said.

Several leading newspapers and broadcasters in Australia also reported Xi's speech Sunday, highlighting the Chinese president's reference to cooperation and the development of Asia.

Many such reports also cited direct quotes from Xi's speech on regional and world peace.

In South Korea, reports on Xi's speech also focused on his remarks on maintaining peace in Asia and the world at large.

Ago Salong, deputy editor-in-chief of Cambodia's Khmer Economy Magazine, said Xi's speech highlighted the significant role Asia played in global economic development, especially at a time when the financial crisis was still unfolding.

As Xi stated clearly in his speech, China's development was not a threat but an opportunity for the rest of the world, Salong said.

Secretary of the Mongolia-China Friendship Association Qimedceye applauded Xi's vision of an international community in which all members shared the same fate and stuck together in times of difficulty.

The growing number of political and business leaders attending the Boao Forum showed the platform had evolved into one of global significance, he said.

The forum, modeled after the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, is now in its 12th year. The 2013 Boao Forum runs from April 6 to 8 in Boao, a coastal town in south China's Hainan province.