1998: former Prime Minister of Australia Robert James Lee Hawke, former President of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, and former Prime Minister of Japan Hosokawa Morihiro proposed the launching of the BFA.

Feb. 27, 2001: The BFA was officially established, with the Declaration on the BFA adopted by delegates from 26 founding member countries. Chinese President Jiang Zemin addressed and presented a poem to the inauguration ceremony of the BFA.

April 11, 2002: An 11-member board of directors for the BFA was elected, with former Philippines President Fidel Ramos as chairman and former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China Zhang Xiang as secretary-general.

April 12-13, 2002: The first BFA annual conference was held with the theme of "New Century, New Challenge, A New Asia," and more than 1,900 delegates from 48 countries and regions attended. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji gave a keynote speech at the opening of the meeting.

Jan. 20, 2003: Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Long Yongtuwas elected secretary-general of the forum at a board of directors meeting in Tokyo, Japan.

Sept. 22, 2003: The BFA International Convention Center was officially put into use, with Jiang Zemin writing the name of it.

Nov. 1, 2003: The BFA held a general assembly in Boao, where the BFA constitution and related documents were adopted.

Nov. 2-3, 2003: BFA Annual Conference 2003 was held in Boao, with the theme "Asia seeking common development through cooperation". Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed the opening ceremony.

April 24-25, 2004: BFA Annual Conference 2004 was held in Boao, with the theme "Asia searching for win-win: an Asia open to the world." Chinese President Hu Jintao presented the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

April 22-24, 2005: BFA Annual Conference 2005 was held in Boao, with the theme "Asia searching for win-win: new role of Asia". Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top advisory body, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

April 22-24, 2006: The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual meeting 2006 opened on April 22 in Boao, with the theme "Asia searching for win-win: New opportunities for Asia." Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Source: Xinhua