Li Baodong: Organize the annual conference to reshape growth confidence

The Covid-19 epidemic is still spreading, and Boao Forum for Asia will be the first large-scale on-site international conference this year. The media is wondering why the forum will be held as scheduled. In this regard, Li Baodong said, because of the epidemic, Asia and the world are facing many urgent issues in the development that need to be discussed. As the most important high-end dialogue platform in the Asia-Pacific region, the forum should play an active role in reshaping growth confidence in Asia and the world, and working together to fight the epidemic. He stressed that the effective prevention and control of the pandemic by the host country makes such a large-scale annual conference possible in China.

The UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is facing huge challenges, and the epidemic has posed more problems in the development of the world economy. But now artificial barriers are heralding the exchange and cooperation in international science and technology. Worryingly, there are not only natural viruses, but also political “viruses”, which, if not stopped, would cause great damage to the peace and progress of humanity, Li Baodong said.

"Global challenges require global cooperation, and the Boao Forum for Asia holds its annual conference to call on countries to work towards solutions to global challenges, to promote cooperation, to work together, to build consensus, to support multilateralism, and to promote a community of shared future for mankind." Li Baodong said.

Li Baodong: New section to analyze the key of development, and highlights to be presented at the conference

The theme of this year's annual conference is set as " A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation", which has attracted wide media attention already. In the interview, Li Baodong introduced the underlying meaning of the theme "One Belt, One Road".

He said that the Belt and Road cooperation, as the largest international public product in the world today, has largely broken through the barrier of the epidemic, and has attracted wide attention all over the world. It filled the gap of interconnection along the Road and showing the determination of Asian countries to promote international cooperation and common development and progress. "With the theme of 'One Belt, One Road' cooperation, it is hoped that this cooperation initiative will be used as an example to explore the opportunities and challenges in international cooperation."

In response to the "highlights of the annual conference," Li Baodong said the most anticipated part is the speech delivered by the leaders of the host country, China, and other countries at the conference. He said that the annual conference coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Forum this year, and plays a key role in the development of the Forum and Asia, so we should take this opportunity to sum up the experience, plan for the future of Asia and the world. "Chinese leaders will deliver a keynote speech at the opening plenary, which will show the way for the direction of the Boao Forum for Asia, the direction of Asia's development, and the direction of the world's development. So I think that will be the biggest highlight of this year's annual conference." Li Baodong said.

Li Baodong: Leaders attach great importance to the forum and the annual conference is in an unprecedented scale under the epidemic

Boao Forum for Asia annual conference is held in Boao, Hainan, China, and received full support from the host government. Li Baodong said that in addition to attending the annual conference every year, the leaders of the host country attach great importance to the various events organized by Boao Forum for Asia, and support other thematic sessions by sending high-level officials to attend or send congratulatory letters.

"It is more a support for the development of Asia more than a support for Boao Forum for Asia." Li Baodong said. Li Baodong introduced that more than 4,000 people have registered, and the total number reaches 5,000 including the online participants, which makes the conference the first large-scale one in the world.

"At present, such a large-scale hybrid conference can only be organized in China," Li Baodong said, “thanks to the effective prevention and control of the pandemic by the host country, China.”