This year's Boao Forum for Asia begins on Friday in South China's Hainan province. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will deliver a keynote speech at the forum. The forum secretary-general Long Yongtu says this year's forum will focus on the financial crisis.

The eighth Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference will attract 16-hundred delegates. This year's theme is "Asia: Managing beyond crisis".

Delegates will discuss the challenges and prospects for Asia during the global economic crisis. Leaders of 13 countries, including Finland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Thailand and Mongolia, will attend the three-day conference.

The Boao Forum for Asia held its first annual conference in April 2001. The forum has developed into one of the most important forums, especially in the Asian region.