Backgrounder: Chronology of Boao Forum for Asia

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference 2014 will be held from Tuesday to Friday in Boao, a coastal town in China's southernmost island province of Hainan.

On Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the conference, themed "Asia's New Future: Identifying New Growth Drivers".[Special coverage]

Reform, innovation and sustainable development will be major topics this year.

As an international non-governmental organization, BFA is a platform for government, business and academic leaders in Asia and other continents to share opinions on pressing issues in the region and the world. It is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

The following is the history of the BFA:

Feb. 27, 2001: The BFA was officially established, with the Declaration on the BFA adopted by delegates from 26 founding members. Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin addressed the inauguration ceremony.

April 12-13, 2002: The first BFA annual conference was themed "New Century, New Challenge, New Asia". It was attended by more than 1,900 delegates from 48 countries and regions. Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Nov. 2-3, 2003: The conference was held under the theme of "A Win-Win for Asia: Development through Cooperation". Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed the opening ceremony.

April 24-25, 2004: The conference adopted the theme "A Win-Win for Asia: Asia Opens Up to the World". Former Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

April 22-24, 2005: The conference carried the theme "Asia Searching for Win-Win: Asia's New Role".

April 21-23, 2006: The conference was themed "New Opportunities for Asia: Driving Growth to the Next Level".

April 20-22, 2007: The conference was held under the theme "Asia Winning in Today's Global Economy -- Innovation and Sustainable Development".

April 11-13, 2008: The conference focused on "Green Asia: Moving Toward Success Through Change". Hu delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

April 17-19, 2009: The conference was themed "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis". The opening ceremony was addressed by Wen.

April 9-11, 2010: The conference was held with the theme "Green Recovery: Asia's Realistic Choice for Sustainable Growth". Xi Jinping, who was vice president at the time, delivered the keynote speech.

April 14-16, 2011: The conference was themed "Inclusive Development: Common Agenda and New Challenges". Hu addressed the opening ceremony.

April 1 to 3, 2012: The conference focused on "Asia in the Changing World: Moving Toward Sound and Sustainable Development". Li Keqiang, who was then vice premier, made the keynote speech.

April 6-8, 2013: The annual conference took the theme "Asia Seeking Common Development: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation". President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony.