BOAO, Hainan, April 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Chairman of BFA (Boao Forum for Asia) Board of Directors Fidel V. Ramos said here Saturday that Asia should take action to actively respond to challenges in the fast-changing world and strengthen ties amongst Asian countries.

    Ramos made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the BFA annual conference, chaired by Long Yongtu, secretary-general of the BFA Secretariat. The ceremony is expected to last about 50 minutes.

    Over 1,000 senior politicians, scholars and business people from Asia and the other parts of the world attended the meeting inBoao, a small scenic town in China's southernmost island province of Hainan. Enditem