Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

The opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 was held on Thursday in the coastal town of Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

Attending the opening plenary were over 1,500 guests from 60 countries and regions, including representatives of international organizations and science and technology enterprises, experts and scholars.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting and delivered a keynote speech.

The four-day conference, which started on Tuesday, has drawn nearly 2,000 attendees to participate in more than 50 events.

Themed "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future," this year's forum serves as a critical platform for fostering regional cooperation, driving global economic growth and strengthening the region's role in global governance amid the current geopolitical tensions and global economic fragmentation.

Often referred to as the "Asian Davos," the forum brings together political and business leaders to discuss trade, investment and technology, with growing participation from Global South countries in recent years.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Boao Forum for Asia holds opening plenary in Hainan

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked