A press conference is held for the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) meetings in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 22, 2016. The BFA is to be held from March 22 to 25 in Boao. [Photo: Xinhua]

The Media Leaders Roundtable of the Boao Forum for Asia kicked off on Tuesday in south China's Hainan province.

China Radio International is co-organizer of the roundtable. Representatives from nearly twenty media organizations worldwide are attending the event.

Laos Pasaxon Newspaper chief editor Douangchit Savatbounmy said the meeting will help the development, exchange and integration of media from different countries.

"Media around the world are developing rapidly at present, with ever-changing broadcasting means. In this context, it is necessary for media to communicate and share their information sources and broadcasting theory. I fully support China to organize such kind of forums to provide a platform for media to share their experience."

Savatbounmy also said CRI's programmes are very popular in Laos.

"It is significant that CRI has FM broadcast in Vientiane as it enriches the city's radio programmes. Pasaxon Newspaper has a good relationship with CRI and we often cite from CRI's politics and economic programs. This helps our audience understand China's development."

The annual Boao forum was first established in 2001.

This year's forum, with the theme of "Asia's New Future: New Dynamics and New Vision," is expected to attract more than 1,700 government officials, business executives and experts.