The first ASEAN Development Forum, hosted by Xinhua News Agency Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau, opened in Hong Kong on December 13.

Government officials, experts and business leaders from the 10 ASEAN countries and China attended the forum to exchange views on issues of their common concern.

Themed "Build Mutual Trust and a Community of Common Destiny", the forum will discuss such topics as building common destiny with strategic mutual trust, deepening economic and trade cooperation via upgrading China-ASEAN FTA and working toward an ASEAN community with result-oriented cooperation.

At the event, President of Xinhua's Asia- Pacific Regional Bureau Ju Mengjun, said the forum aims to enhance mutual trust and cooperation through in-depth exchange of views.