China's president urges Asia to shift growth model, forge unity

"It is important that we should shift the growth model, adjust the economic structure, make development more cost effective and make life better for our people," Xi told delegates to the 2013 Boao Forum for Asia.
"Rather than undercutting each other's efforts, countries should complement each other and work for joint progress," Xi said in his keynote speech at in China's southern island province of Hainan.
This year's annual Boao forum has the theme "Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation."
Xi outlined the ruling Communist Party's plans to realize its "Chinese dream" of national strength and prosperity by developing into a "modern socialist country" by the mid-21st century.
The government faces "many difficulties and challenges" in sustaining China's rapid economic development, but is "unwaveringly committed to reform and opening up," Xi said.
The leaders of Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Kakakhstan, Mexico, Peru, Zambia and Finland were among several hundred delegates at the economic forum.