Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 24, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 24, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BOAO, Hainan, March 24 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for concerted efforts to further promote openness and inclusiveness in Asia on Thursday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in China's southernmost province of Hainan, Li said such efforts will bring regional countries closer together at a time of challenges.

"Openness and inclusiveness are at the root of cultures in Asia. Over the long history, the various nationalities, religions and cultures have coexisted, interacted and learned from one another, and they have all had important contributions to human civilization," he said.

Various dialogue platforms should be used to boost exchanges and increase the region's cohesion, said the premier.

He also invited countries and regional organizations to participate in a China-proposed conference of dialogue on Asian civilizations.

The BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international institution founded in 2001 to promote regional economic development and cooperation. This year's theme is "Asia's New Future: New Dynamics and New Vision."