The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Secretariat holds a press conference for the BFA Annual Conference 2023 in Beijing on January 11 (COURTESY PHOTO)  

While the 2023 global economic growth outlook is clouded by uncertainty, the fundamentals of China’s long-term economic development certainly remain unchanged, Li Baodong, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), told a press conference for the BFA Annual Conference 2023 in Beijing on January 11. The yearly meeting is scheduled to take place offline in late March in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. 

"The exact date for the annual conference will be released as soon as it is confirmed," Li said. 

Li emphasized the BFA will remain true to its original mission of promoting economic integration across Asia and help build a community with a shared future by facilitating dialogue and exchanges between China and other countries in Asia and beyond. 

The secretary also confirmed the upcoming BFA will adhere to its usual practice, with leaders and government officials of various countries, including host country China, heads of international organizations, guests from the business and academic circles as well as the media, coming together to discuss the post-pandemic development agenda for Asia and the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, the BFA will take place offline with the necessary pandemic prevention measures in place. The forum looks forward to welcoming guests and friends from all over the world to Hainan. 

The BFA Annual Conference 2023 will continue to focus on frontline issues of development in Asia and the world, consolidate the consensus of all countries to jointly promote post-pandemic global economic recovery and support the international community in strengthening policy coordination and cooperation as to meet common challenges and promote common development. 

This year’s BFA agenda will include four modules, namely, "Development and Inclusiveness," "Efficiency and Security," "Regional and Global" and "Present and Future." These four modules aim to encourage a sensible discussion of the relations between self and mutual, short-term and long-term interests, promoting international cooperation and consolidating consensus.  

In addition to the Annual Conference 2023, the BFA intends to organize a series of important events, including themed forums relating to global economic and health development, the collaboration of technology and innovation, and more. The BFA will also continue to strengthen its research on topics such as the global response to climate change, the realization of carbon neutrality goals and the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed initiative that aims to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, as well as launch special reports on technological innovation, Li concluded. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon  

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