Boao Forum for Asia

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA; Chinese: 博鳌亚洲论坛; pinyin: Bó'áo Yàzhōu Lùntán) is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large. BFA is modelled on the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland. Its fixed address is in Bo'ao, Hainan province, China, although the Secretariat is based in Beijing. The forum, sometimes known as the “Asian Davos”, takes its name from the town of Boao, located in China's southern Hainan province, which has been the permanent venue for its annual conference since 2002.[1]

Boao Forum for Asia
博鳌亚洲论坛
Formation2001
TypeNon-profit organization
Legal statusForum
HeadquartersBo'ao, Hainan, China
Beijing (Secretariat)
Region served
Asia
Chairman
Ban Ki-moon
Vice Chairman
Zhou Xiaochuan
Secretary General
Li Baodong
Websiteenglish.boaoforum.org

The Forum is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries even closer to their development goals. Initiated in 1998 by Fidel V. Ramos, former President of the Philippines, Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia, and Morihiro Hosokawa, former Prime Minister of Japan, the Boao Forum for Asia was formally inaugurated in February 2001. The founding of the BFA was driven by the People's Republic of China and founded by 26 Asian and Australasian states on 27 February 2001. The organisation held its first meeting from 12–13 April 2002.

Discussions at the BFA focus on economics, integration, cooperation, society and the environment. In the past the forum also addressed China's entry into the World Trade Organization, as well as Southeast Asia's economic crisis during the 1990s. The geopolitical strategy 'China's peaceful rise' was a topic of discussion for the forum in 2004. In addition to its annual meeting, the BFA also sponsors other forums and meetings related to Asian issues.

2008

The Boao Forum For Asia Annual Conference 2008 was held on 10–13 April 2008. It was attended by heads of government from countries including Australia, Pakistan, Norway and Kazakhstan. It also saw the historic meeting of Taiwan's Republic of China's Vice President-elect Vincent Siew, with People's Republic of China paramount leader Hu Jintao.[2][3]

2009

The 2009 forum was held in Boao, Hainan, from 17–19 April 2009. The theme was "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis". [4]

2010

The 2010 forum was held in Boao, Hainan, from 9–11 April 2010. The theme was "Green Recovery: Asia’s Realistic Choice for Sustainable Growth".[5]

2011
Boao Forum for Asia 2011

The Energy, Resources & Sustainable Development Conference for the organisation was held in Perth, Western Australia, Australia between the 11 and 12 July 2011.[6] [7] The conferences brought together business, industry and political leaders in the region to discuss energy and resource security, development and trade.[6] Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd stated China will invest US 1 trillion dollars abroad and Australia is in a good position to attract capital to develop new mines, infrastructure to service China's insatiable appetite for energy and resources. [8][9] Rudd also indicated while Chinese capital is essential for Australia's economic future, China needs to do more in relaxing foreign investment rules for Australian companies such as restrictions on types of businesses, equity restrictions and branch or representative office caps.[10][11]

2013

This year forum was held from April 6 to 8 in Hainan Province.[12] Bill Gates, George Soros and Christine Lagarde attended.[13] China's paramount leader Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address.[14] This year focus was on "Restructuring".[15]

2014

The 2014 forum was held in Hainan, from 8–11 April 2014, with the official opening address from Chinese premier Li Keqiang on 10 April.[16] The theme of the forum was "Asia's New Future: Identifying New Growth Drivers".[17]

Indian business tycoon Ratan Tata was appointed as a member of the Board of Boao Forum. The post is a rare distinction for an Indian in the Chinese government-backed influential body.[18]

2015

Leaders or deputies from 16 countries, including Armenia, Australia, Austria, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia, attended the forum held from March 26 to 29. The theme of this year forum is "community of shared destiny".[19]

2016

The 2016 forum was held in Hainan, from 22–25 March 2016. Participants at the annual conference focused on Asia's New future: New Dynamics, New Vision and took part in panel discussions. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made the keynote speech at the opening of the annual conference.[20]

2017

The 2017 forum was held from 23–26 March 2017. Keynote speech was made by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017.[21] The theme for the conference was "Globalization and Free Trade: The Asian Perspectives".

2018

The Boao Forum for Asia 2018 was held between April 8 and 11 at Hainan Province, China. The theme of this year forum was "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity".[22] China's paramount leader Xi Jinping gave the opening speech at the opening ceremony.[23] He said China will open up market including lowering tariffs on imported autos amid increasing trade tensions between US and China.[24]

2019

The 2019 forum was held in Hainan, from 26–29 March 2019. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made the keynote speech at the opening of the annual conference.

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See also

References
  1. Lavers, Georgina, "Global integration: Dubai to host Boao Forum for Asia" Archived 2015-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, Vision, June 2014.
  2. 2008 Boao Forum for Asia to Kick Off in China CRI News 2008-04-12 (extracted 2018-04-17)
  3. Taiwan VP-elect says China agrees to official talks REUTERS 2008-04-14 (extracted 2018-04-17)
  4. Boao Forum for Asia 2009, People's Daily Online
  5. 2010 Boao Forum For Asia, cctv.com
  6. O'Brien, Amanda (July 13, 2011). "Keep China close, says Kerry Stokes". The Australian. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  7. Lady. Zhong Press officer of the Secretariat of Boao Forum for Asia. "Boao Forum". Latest Reports. BFA. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  8. AAP (July 11, 2011). "Rudd says China offers big opportunities". AAP. news.smh.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  9. Business Spectator Pty Ltd. (13 Jul 2011). "Australia key to China investment: report". Business Spectator Pty Ltd. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  10. O'Brien, Amanda (July 12, 2011). "Rudd hits back at China over protectionism". The Australian. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  11. Emery, Kate (13 July 2011). "'Integrate' with China or dip out". The West Australian. www.smh.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  12. Boao Forum for Asia annual conference 2013 Xinhau Net 2013-04-08 Retrieved 2018-04-17
  13. "Bill Gates, Soros and Lagarde Confirm Attendance at Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013". Boao Forum for Asia. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  14. "Xi's speech at Boao draws positive comments", chinadaily.com.cn, 2013-04-08. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  15. [ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-04/05/content_16377814.htm 2013 Boao Forum to focus on 'restructuring', China Daily 2013-04-05 Retrieved 2018-04-17]
  16. "Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2014" (in Chinese), boaoforum.org, April 8, 2014.
  17. Boao Forum Information Centre Jan 9, 2014
  18. Business Standard :Ratan Tata member of China-backed Boao Forum April 11, 2014
  19. Boao Forum for Asia 2015 , China Daily 2018-04-23
  20. Boao Forum for Asia 2016 China.org.cn 2018-04-23
  21. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli's keynote speech at opening plenary of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017, Xinhuanet.com 2017-03-27
  22. Boao Forum for Asia 2018 home page 2018-04-17
  23. President Xi addresses opening ceremony of BFA annual conference 2018 2018-04-17
  24. China's Xi announces plans to 'open' China, including lowering tariffs on imported autos 2018-04-09
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