Boao Forum for Asia Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Asian Cooperation Bonds Strengthen Development Consensus

Securities Times Reporter Wu Shaolong

From March 24 to 27, the Boao Asia Forum 2026 Annual Conference will be held as scheduled. This year marks the beginning of the “14th Five-Year Plan” period and also the 25th anniversary of the Boao Asia Forum. As the first annual meeting held after the full island closure operation of Hainan Free Trade Port, the Boao Asia Forum 2026 Annual Conference has attracted worldwide attention.

On March 23, the registration center for the Boao Asia Forum 2026 officially launched, and participating guests and media reporters arrived one after another. According to Securities Times, this year’s conference centers around the theme “Shaping a Shared Future: New Trends, New Opportunities, New Cooperation,” closely following global development trends. It features four core topics: “Grasping Global Trends, Leading Development Directions,” “Deepening Regional Cooperation, Stimulating Strong Vitality,” “Promoting Transformation and Innovation, Unlocking Development Potential,” and “Strengthening Partnerships, Achieving Inclusive Development.” Based on this framework, the forum plans to hold nearly 50 sub-forums, roundtables, dialogues, and other series of activities, focusing on hot topics such as global economic governance, green transformation, technological innovation, and regional integration, aiming to find common ground amid differences and build consensus on development.

The world is currently at a critical crossroads. As an important link for Asian cooperation, the Boao Asia Forum has always upheld the original aspiration of “openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit,” witnessing the solid progress of regional economic integration. Compared to previous sessions, this year’s Global Free Trade Port Development Forum has achieved breakthroughs in the scale of the event and the number of distinguished guests. Over 400 guests from home and abroad will gather in Boao, including senior officials from more than 20 countries and regions, renowned global experts and scholars, and leaders of multinational enterprises, including delegations from more than ten influential overseas free trade zones (ports) and representatives of multiple countries’ political figures.

Earlier this year, the Boao Asia Forum held a “New Year Outlook 2026” in Beijing. In a video speech, Forum Chairman Ban Ki-moon stated that 2025 was a challenging year, facing multiple challenges such as unilateralism, protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and climate crises, which severely impacted the global order, multilateral systems, and international rule of law. In Asia, open regionalism has effectively offset protectionism represented by tariff wars, and economic integration and regional cooperation are advancing against the trend. A new wave of technological revolution, represented by artificial intelligence, new energy, automation, and biotechnology, is gaining momentum. Asia is transforming from a global manufacturing hub into a center of innovation. In the midst of major changes, Asia should stay true to its direction, seize opportunities, and not lose its way or hesitate. With the right guidance, the future of Asia is promising, and world peace and prosperity are within reach.

Mu Hong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Chinese chief representative and vice president of the forum, pointed out that economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend. Fairness, justice, openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation are the common aspirations and correct choices of people, which can inject certainty and stability into a turbulent world. Asia’s role as a major engine of the global economy remains solid, and its position as a high ground for global development cooperation is increasingly prominent. China’s economy is steady and progressing, moving towards new and better development. China’s modernization with Chinese characteristics has taken new firm steps, sharing development opportunities with Asia and the world. China’s door to openness will open wider and wider.