Gathering Development Efforts to Shape a Common Future - Written on the Occasion of the 2026 Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia
The spring tide surges along the coast of the South China Sea, and the Wanquan River gathers again. On March 24th, the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Conference with the theme of "Shaping a Common Future: New Situation, New Opportunities, and New Cooperation" kicked off.
In the increasingly turbulent international situation, the world is paying attention to the "Boao Time", looking forward to the "Boao Voice", and looking forward to the annual forum once again writing a new chapter of communication, mutual learning, and win-win results.
Relieve Development Difficulties through Unity
On the morning of March 24th, at the Boao Forum for Asia News Center, the press conference for the annual conference was packed with people.
Despite facing numerous challenges, the Asian economy still demonstrates strong resilience, showing a positive trend and outlook, making important contributions to the world economy, global trade, and sustainable development
In the current situation, multilateralism, economic globalization, and sustainable development still have strong vitality, and open cooperation and win-win development are still in the best interest of all parties
The "Asia Economic Outlook and Integration Process 2026 Annual Report" and "Asia and the World's Sustainable Development 2026 Annual Report" released by the forum, as well as the speeches of the attending guests, give a clear judgment: the higher the winds and waves, the more we need to work together.
Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, stated that Asia shoulders the important mission of leading the world forward and promoting the healthy development of the global economy. The Boao Forum for Asia also has the responsibility to make greater contributions in deepening regional cooperation and stimulating strong vitality.
According to the report, based on purchasing power parity, the proportion of GDP of Asian economies in the world economy is expected to increase from 49.2% in 2025 to 49.7% in 2026; The Asian economy is expected to achieve a growth rate of 4.5% by 2026, remaining the main growth engine of the world economy.
In addition, the foundation of Asian trade integration remains stable, with the regional trade dependence increasing from 56.3% in 2023 to 57.2% in 2024, and major economies generally increasing their dependence on the region.
New development brings new opportunities, and new changes nurture new hope.
This year's Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference focuses on four major areas: "grasping the global trend, leading development direction", "deepening regional cooperation, stimulating strong vitality", "promoting transformation and innovation, unleashing development potential", and "building partnerships, achieving inclusive development". It will hold more than 50 sub forums, roundtables, dialogues and other series of activities, aiming to consolidate consensus through in-depth dialogue, provide more certainty and inject more positive energy into the world.
Ban Ki moon, Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, stated that Asia's position in global development is even more important, and the importance of regional cooperation is further highlighted. This year's annual meeting focuses on current major and prominent issues, continues to adhere to multilateralism, promote openness, inclusiveness, sustainability, and high-quality development, actively explores new vitality and space, explores ways to address global challenges, promotes deepening regional cooperation and economic integration among Asian countries, and creates stronger development support.
With the momentum of openness and innovation gathering
The humanoid robot transforms into a waiter to make coffee, unmanned vehicles shuttle between venues, and intelligent garbage sorting bins automatically recognize and deliver items... Standing at the forum's annual meeting, the new trend of digitization has become a major highlight.
The outline of the 15th Five Year Plan proposes to comprehensively promote the empowerment of digital intelligence technology and accelerate the formation of green production and lifestyle. This year's government work report for the first time proposed "creating a new form of intelligent economy", which has attracted attention from all walks of life.
The reporter found that the theme activities related to digital empowerment and green development accounted for a quarter of this year's forum annual meeting, reflecting the development consensus of Asian countries.
Many companies such as Yushu Technology will showcase their latest products and conduct in-depth discussions on topics such as the upgrading of the digital intelligence enabled industry, the advancement and leap of humanoid robots, the future of AI+health, and the development of the blue economy.
Shen Shao, Executive Vice President of Baidu AI Cloud Group and President of Baidu Intelligent Cloud Business Group, said that technological innovation is driving industrial development, and agents and embodied intelligence are reshaping human-computer cooperation mode. Looking forward to in-depth exchanges of new perspectives and collision of new ideas with various sectors at the forum annual meeting, and jointly embracing the intelligent transformation.
China is the most suitable market for developing future industries, "said Xu Yingzi, Vice President of the Fourth Paradigm Market. The company will firmly invest in hardcore technology and continue to promote the construction of basic research and development, intelligent manufacturing, and open ecology.
The path of development and innovation is clarified through communication, and consensus on expanding openness is consolidated through dialogue.
In a few days, Hainan Free Trade Port will soon enter a hundred day closed operation. More and more companies from all over the world are coming to Hainan to do business.
Hainan is not only a bridgehead connecting the domestic super large market, but also a gateway for Chinese businesses to expand into Southeast Asia and lay out globally. With its advantageous location and policy dividends, there is no reason not to deeply cultivate here, "said Shi Qianping, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the China Overseas Chinese Business Association, expressing the common voice of many investors.
Lin Guijun, former vice president of the University of International Business and Economics, said that an open China has a good innovation ecosystem, including markets, talents, funds, and policies. More and more foreign-funded enterprises have regarded China as an important innovation base.
Seeking win-win through cooperation
Mutual understanding leads to progress, and only through progress can we achieve mutual benefits.
Asia has a strong industrial foundation and strong market demand, demonstrating vast development potential in multiple fields and providing a stable and predictable cooperation window for global capital.
In the rapidly changing market environment, enterprises must keep up with the trend of the times, actively seize opportunities in the midst of changes, and achieve win-win results in connectivity, "said Yu Xubo, Chairman of General Technology Group. The group will further gather domestic and international resources, strengthen cooperation in international production capacity, supply chain, engineering services and other fields, promote the formation of a mutually beneficial industrial cooperation pattern, and better serve the domestic and international dual circulation.
This year's forum annual meeting coincides with a new beginning of the 15th Five Year Plan, and the just released outline of the plan also means new opportunities for the world.
China's development will reshape regional and global supply chains, and promote the process of new globalization, "said Dai Pu, Co President of Roland Berger Global Management Committee, a German management consulting firm. The Chinese market is a dynamic and diverse growth platform, and multinational enterprises not only have the opportunity to succeed in China, but also to establish cooperation with other markets, especially those in the global South, through China.
Adhering to the original intention of cooperation, strengthening the alignment of development strategies, and deepening pragmatic cooperation are becoming important paths for all parties to address challenges and share opportunities. Attendees expressed that China's high-quality development promotes the upgrading of economies in various countries and injects new momentum into the world economy.
Steadily expand institutional openness, build a new system of a higher level of open economy, promote the joint construction of high-quality development of the "the Belt and Road", and expand international circulation... A more open and dynamic China is working with all parties to open up broad space in mutually beneficial cooperation and create more possibilities in common development.
This annual conference will provide important opportunities for friends from all walks of life to invest in China and share development opportunities, "Zhang Jun said. He looks forward to further gathering development forces through the" Boao Plan ", building consensus through exchanges and mutual learning, opening up prospects through practical cooperation, and working together to shape a more stable and prosperous future.