Eight Asian leaders and about 1,000 delegates from political, economic and academic circles have confirmed their attendance at the Boao Forum for Asia2003 annual conference on Nov. 2 and 3, according to Long Yongtu, secretary-general of the forum.
       
       The eight leaders are Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, Tajikistan President Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov, Turkmenistan President Saparmurad Atayevich Niyazov, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and ChiefExecutive Ho Hau Wah of the Macao SAR.

       Long said at a press briefing here Sunday that the forum would discuss topics such as the Asian economic outlook, regional cooperation and the international financial situation. About ten special sub-conferences, several theme conferences, and speeches on Asian development by international figures will be included.

         (from XINHUANEWS)