This year's Bo'ao Forum for Asia will be held in Hainan province on April 8th to 11th, focusing on openness and innovation in Asia. The secretary-general of the forum has been telling the press what we can expect at the event. Our reporter Zou Yun has the story.

An open and innovative Asia for a world of greater prosperity, that's the slogan for this year's Boao Forum for Asia. Zhou Wenzhong, the secretary-general of the forum says last year's event reached a wide range of consensus on globalization and free trade. This year, innovation, global governance and continuing reform will top the agenda.

ZHOU WENZHONG, SECRETARY-GENERAL BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA "As you know growth is all we want in Asia and across the world. The question is how to achieve more growth, how to make sure the growth will not decrease. It has been exhausted in terms that the growth to be generated through the increasing input of production factors. So I think now innovation is the way out, that's why we have put an emphasis on innovation."

Established in 2001, the Boao forum promotes regional economic integration and has evolved into one of the most prominent business gathering in Asia. 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's opening up and reform, and companies from China and abroad will be sharing their thoughts on enhancing cooperation, exchanging resources and tackling mutual challenges.

ZHANG XIAOMEI, CEO RIVERSIDE GROUP "Our company has been one of beneficiaries of the opening up and reform policy and we hope to share what we have achieved on this platform. At this year's forum, we expect to be engaged in two topics: one is urban development and innovation; the other is Chinese people's increasing demand for higher quality healthcare."

The forum's secretary-general, Zhou Wenzhong, has also announced 22 media partners, with CGTN becoming a new member.

ZOU YUN BEIJING "Through the decades, the Boao forum has switched focus gradually from Asia to the entire globe. At a time of rising protectionist sentiment, the forum will serve as an important platform for improving Asian economic integration and achieving a more inclusive form of globalization worldwide."