Though definition of Asia's geographic boundary is clear, the question about "Asia's boundary"in its regional economic integration still triggered a debate at a high-profile forum.

"Are Australians also Asians?" asked Michael Johnson, a federal member of the House of Representatives of Australian Parliament, when he presided over a round table meeting during the Annual Conference 2007 of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

Michael's question may reflect a tendency in the thinking of Australians, who are making efforts to "join" Asia and take a positive approach to the Asian economic integration.

"If your your heart is in Asia, then you are also an Asian," said Liu Chiping, CEO of Tencent.

Australia has become "a part of Asia", since it has grown to be an important supplier of resources to Asia and an indispensable link in Asia's production chains in recent years, said a participant.

Another participant said it doesn't really matter whether Australia belongs to Asia or not, since any country can be a component of multiple economic systems in an era of gradual regional integration.

Asia's average gross domestic product (GDP) grew by over 6 percent annually in the past seven years, contributing to 20 percent of the world economic growth.

Yang Wenjun, Executive Director of Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Company Limited, used cows, grass and milk to describe regional economic cooperation.

"The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the largest cow raising area in China, imports over 20,000 cows from Australia every year and the forage grass planted in its huge prairie is imported from 12 countries, including Australia," Yang said.

"Milk produced by these cows in Inner Mongolia may be sold backto Australia," he said.

The BFA Annual Conference 2007 opened on April 21 in Boao of southern China's Hainan Province, focusing on integration of the whole Asia. The theme of the 2007 Conference is "Asia Winning in Today's Global Economy - Innovation and Sustainable Development".

Source: Xinhua