SINGAPORE, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Asia will be the new gravity center of the world for the next 15 years, said co-Chairs of the Asia Roundtable held here on Thursday.

    "We are in an era of rapid changes in which the economic development of Asia is playing a more and more important role. Facing both challenges and opportunities at the same time, we aim to identify them and find solutions during the meeting," Jiang Jianqing, chairman and president of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, told the press in a briefing.

    Several issues have been repeatedly mentioned in the preparation for the seminar, said Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab, which highlight the development strategies of China, Japan and India, the three major economies in Asia.

    Other concerns include Asia's identity, national security, energy supply, social tensions as well as future business model tobe adopted by Asian countries.

    More than 250 elites from business, government and civil society from 34 countries and regions are convening at the first Asia Roundtable in Singapore on Thursday.

    Under the theme of "Tilting the global balance: the strategic implications of Asia's growth," WEF hosts the two-day seminar in order to invite frank exchange of views on challenges and opportunities that the region focuses on.

    Co-sponsored by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB),the meeting is credited with eminent personnel like Peter Mandelson, trade commissioner of the European Commission, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Mongolian Prime Minister Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj. Enditem