Boao Forum provides platform for fostering economic cooperation: Indian journalist

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) has provided a platform for fostering economic cooperation and regional development, said a senior Indian journalist.

The BFA Annual Conference 2025 is set to start on Tuesday in Boao Town, Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province, with nearly 2,000 representatives from over 60 countries and regions to attend the event.

With the theme "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future," this year's event will focus on four key topics: rebuilding trust to promote cooperation, the rebalance of globalization and inclusive development, sustainable development, and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation.

Ahead of this year's event, China Global Television Network (CGTN) spoke with Mewati Sitaram, Editor-in-Chief of the Mumbai Messenger newspaper. He emphasized the significant roles China and India are expected to play at the upcoming forum.

The BFA has consistently provided a platform for fostering economic cooperation and regional development. Given the current geopolitical landscape, there will likely be a strong emphasis on balancing economic growth with stability, Sitaram said.

"China and India, as two of the world's largest emerging economies, bring unique perspective. China can offer insight into advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, state investment and digital transformation, while India's experience in digital finance, start-up ecosystem and IT service can provide valuable model for inclusive growth. Both China and India have a shared interest in advocating for the Global South and ensuring that Asia's growth remain equitable and inclusive," he said.

Seeing that the digital divide remains a significant barrier to balanced global development, Sitaram said the issue should be addressed through international collaboration and policy making.

"The Global South must be an active participant in artificial intelligence development, not just a consumer of AI-driven product. To safeguard its interests, three key areas need focus. The first area is technology access. Open source, artificial intelligence models and public private partnership can ensure that developing countries have access to cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools. Collaborative research initiative similar to those between India and China in pharmaceutical can be extended to AI and machine learning. Number Two: talent development. Under talent development, AI education and skilling programs must be expanded in emerging economies," he said.

"Third, financial support: International financial institutions and regional development banks should create dedicated fund for AI infrastructure in Global South. China and India can jointly advocate for artificial financing initiative within forums like BRICS, G20 and the AI for good initiative under the United Nations. To bridge the digital divide, international cooperation is essential [for] policymakers to push for AI regulation and ensure use, while also fostering innovation. Infrastructure sharing agreements can help extend digital connectivity to remote areas, ensuring that AI benefits are widely distributed and both countries can have a upper hand in technologies and everything," he added.

Boao Forum provides platform for fostering economic cooperation: Indian journalist

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media