Chief Executive Edmund Ho Thursday (11 April) arrived at Hainan Province to attend the first annual Boao Forum for Asia scheduled to open on Friday.

Mr. Ho was received by the vice governor of the Province of Hainan, Yuxun, and to attend the evening welcome banquet held by BFA.

The BFA conference will be held on 12-13 April. The theme of the conference is "A New Century, a New Challenge and a New Asia: Asian Economic Cooperation and Development". Government leaders from Asian countries, leading figures from the business community, academics, as well as special guests from all over the world, will attend the conference. Participants will discuss topics including the Impact of the World Economic Situation on Asia/; the Positive Impact of China's WTO Accession and the Development of the Asian Economy.

Before the departure, Mr. Ho told the media that the SAR Government welcomes Mr. Henry Fok to set up a private charity foundation in Macao and would pay attention to the issue concerning Mr. Fok would sell his interest in Sociedade de Turismo. Moreover, the authority was concern about the affects to the Macao Jockey Club after Hong Kong SAR Government amended the gaming regulation.

Chief Executive will come back Macao on 13 April.