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On Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2013 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia.
Xi said that despite Asia becoming a major growth engine for the global economy, it must transform its development model, to be more sustainable.
STANDUP (ENGLISH) YANG MU, CNC Correspondent:
"Themed 'Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation', the Boao forum provides a platform for politicians and business leaders to discuss global economic issues, that have an impact in Asia."
In recent years, Asia has kept the world's economy afloat - contributing to more than 50 percent of global growth...
But at the opening of the Boao economic forum for Asia, China's President warned the region's low-cost export model, couldn't last.
President Xi Jinping urged Asia to upgrade its development model, to improve Asian citizens' quality of life.
SOUNDBITE: XI JINPING, Chinese President
"It's important that we shift the growth model, adjust the economic structure, make development more cost effective and make life better for our people."
But aside from a need to boost its social development, political frictions in recent months also threaten the region's growth...
President Xi called on Asian countries to boost the trust between them, to ensure regional stability and deepen cooperation...
Without naming names, the Chinese leader also said no one should be allowed to throw a region and or the world into chaos, for selfish gains...
The hope at the Boao Forum, is that politics can be set aside, for the sake of Asia's development... And maintaining the region's growth.
STANDUP (ENGLISH) YANG MU, CNC correspondent:
"The economic discussions may focus on major international challenges including the global economic slowdown and rising environmental degradation. Other important issues may include those affecting the daily lives of people across Asia, such as rising property prices, health problems and how to manage urbanization."
In November last year, the Communist Party of China held its 18th National Congress, which planned China's development in the years to come...
Including doubling China's GDP and per capita incomes for all citizens by 2020 from 2010... By launching a nationwide urbanization and consumption drive...
As well as making China's exports more high-tech and innovative... So it can pay its workers more.
SOUNDBITE: XI JINPING, Chinese President
"We need to make relentless efforts in the years ahead to deliver a better life to all our people. We are committed to reform and opening up, and we will concentrate on the major task of shifting our growth model, focus on running our own affairs well and make continued efforts to boost the socialist modernization drive."
But whatever efforts are made at home, he also said China's fate was entwined with Asia's and the world's - and that it can't develop in isolation.
