The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018 Successfully Launched

On 10 April 2018, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2018 was successfully opened in Boao, Hainan province. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the opening ceremony.

President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech. He pointed out that the BFA, since its inception, has made positive contributions to building consensus in Asia, encouraging cooperation, promoting economic globalization and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. He said that the world is undergoing a new round of major development, great change and profound readjustment. Humankind still faces many instabilities and uncertainties. Xi Jinping stressed that with the future in mind, we need to treat each other with respect and as equals, promote dialogue and share responsibility, engage in cooperation for win-win results, uphold inclusiveness and seek harmony without uniformity and treat nature with respect and treasure our planet. Xi Jinping announced that China will adopt a series of major measures to pursue further opening. First, significantly broaden market access. Second, create a more attractive investment environment. Third, strengthen protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). Fourth, take the initiative to expand imports. President Xi called on all countries to dedicate to openness and win-win outcomes, be brave to change and break new ground, and keep striving for a community with a shared future for mankind and a better tomorrow for Asia and the world.

Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Director-General of BFA, delivered a welcoming speech. President Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh of Mongolia, Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands; Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of Pakistan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde and Vice Chairman and CEO of SABIC Yousef Abdullah Al-Benyan, also respectively delivered speeches. They said that a series of policies and measures to pursue further opening launched by China exhilarate the world, demonstrating that China will continue to push forward reform and opening up in the future. This is a boon to the people of China and the rest of the world and will vigorously promote the common development and prosperity of the world.

The BFA Annual Conference 2018 was held from April 8 to 11, under the theme of "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity". Attended the BFA were more than 2,000 people including leaders from several countries and regions, principals of international organizations, representatives from political and business circles, experts and scholars.