Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is bringing his Foreign Minister Alan Cayetano to the Boao Forum. Cayetano has spoken to CGTN on the future of Asia.

JAMES CHAU SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR, CGTN "You're at the Boao Forum where President Xi Jinping is positioning Asia as the regional driver for global growth. Do the Philippines and its neighbors share this sense of optimism?"

ALAN CAYETANO PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY "I think all Asians know that our time has come or our time is coming. When we talk about inclusiveness and equality, Asia has gone through so much and sacrificed so much for the world. And because of a number of things including the success of many countries in Asia, the growth, the leadership, but also because of technology like social media, Asians suddenly have a voice not only in the West but now the whole world looks at the potential of Asia, the opportunities of Asia. No country in the world can ignore Asia and the markets of Asia, the people of Asia."

JAMES CHAU SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR, CGTN "What excites you the most because you talk about the time for Asia having arrived?"

ALAN CAYETANO PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY "What excites me is the success ASEAN had in the last 50 years despite many opportunities to be at war or at least to be in a Cold War against each other. What excites me is that there are regional rivalries going on, yet everyone is finding a way to cooperate. What excites me is that countries and leaders - maybe President Xi Jinping, maybe President Duterte and other participants at this Forum - are all thinking not only how to benefit their people. For example, I haven't had a single conversation with State Councillor Wang Yi or with any other high official of China, where they did not mention how they should benefit both Chinese people and the Filipino people."

JAMES CHAU SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR, CGTN "Is here a relevant experience from reforms - China's reforms - that offer a template for global issues today?"

ALAN CAYETANO PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY "We congratulate China for the 40th year of opening-up. The success of China is threatening to some, but who asked China to open up in the first place? Weren't the West that was always saying 'you should change', 'open up', etc. But now that they're going gaining power, they are a world power, there is a lot of discomfort or people out of their comfort zone. How do you govern 100 million Filipinos? It's very difficult. So, I can't imagine 1.3 billion people."

JAMES CHAU SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR, CGTN "As a leader of 100 million plus people, what can you realistically and honestly promise them?"

ALAN CAYETANO PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY "I am of the belief that our aspirations are non-threatening and our aspirations also of our neighbors. What is our aspiration? Safe community. Everyone wants to see our children off to school, in parks and playgrounds, doing sports on weekends, being able to go to beautiful places in your country - the beach or the mountains - and be safe."

JAMES CHAU SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR, CGTN "Secretary Cayetano, thank you for sharing your ideas and insights."