In February 2001, Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was officially established, which embarked a new chapter for the dialogue and cooperation for Asian countries and people. In 20-years’ time, BFA has been the speaker of aspirations from countries in Asia in seeking dialogue and cooperation. It has also been the focus of the world every spring, and the world is looking forward to this annual event. With the assistance and support from Asian people, BFA has developed into a global forum with worldwide influence, with a solid foundation based in Asia and a forward-looking ambition to the whole world.
The BFA took the first step to make the voice of Asia heard by the whole world, which symbolizes a new dawn for cooperation and consensus among Asian countries. Following the“Asian model” and the historical trajectory of the awakening of Asian values, it eventually sounded the strongest voice of Asia in the beautiful Boao at the junction of the wide Pacific Ocean and the ancient Asian continent. Over the past two decades, more than 140 leaders from both China and across the world have given speeches in Boao, telling “Asian stories” of every Asian people. Looking into the history, we can find that the ancient Asian continent boasts unique cultural heritages. There are examples like the stone human sculpture from 4,000 BC in the Tabuk Region of Saudi Arabia, the Jade Cong in the Neolithic period from Liangzhu Culture of China, the 3000-year-old bronze drum from Laos and the bird-shaped pottery Rhyton from the 8th to 7th century BC in Armenia. Asian cultures have made their unique contributions to human
civilizations. Asia is one of the regions with the most vigorous economy across the world.“Asian value” and“Asian model” have received widespread attention. Since the new millennium, along with the development of BFA, Asian countries have moved to the focus in the global arena. The total economic volume of Asia accounts for 36% of the global total, rising from 27% previously. Among the Top 5 performers in terms of total GDP volume, three of them are based in Asia. All the achievements have made me deeply admired of the far-sighted founders of the BFA. Indeed, the 21st century is expected to be an“Asian century” under the spotlight, exactly as they predicted. From Asian integration to building an Asian community of shared future, further to building a community of shared future for mankind, from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), from the 3rd BRICS Leaders Meeting, to the 1st Lancang- Mekong Cooperation Leaders Meeting, we have witnessed colorful“Asian stories” written here, one after another. Therefore, the destiny among Asian countries has also been closely-connected.
Hainan, China, is selected as the venue for the BFA. History has made its own choice. It has selected the diligent and brave Chinese people, and more specifically, the inclusive, kind, enthusiastic and friendly Hainan people. The three founders—Fidel Valdez Ramos, Bob Hawke, and Hosokawa Morihiro—frankly expressed their opinions in Manila Initiative that “China, as the one and only Asian permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is very likely to become the largest economy in the world at the beginning of the 21st century. The BFA’s development cannot be achieved without the support from China”. Hainan grasped the opportunity of China’s going global. Both Hainan’s founding and prosperity have come from the reform and opening-up. The BFA and Hainan are a perfect match. In the past 20 years, Hainan province has dedicated itself to the development of the BFA, and has prioritized the BFA-related tasks within the province. Every spring, the related departments initiate the whole province to safeguard a wonderful event with high-quality services, which deeply impressed guests due to their perfect experiences.
The story of the BFA also belongs to the people of every Asian country. When another spring is approaching, let us gather in Boao to listen to the new voices of the ancient Asian continent once again and let’s come together to generate the majestic power that connects the world!
Chairman of the Board of Boao Forum for Asia,the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations