Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Thursday delivered a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in the coastal town of Boao, south China's Hainan Province.
Themed "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future," the four-day conference, which started on Tuesday, has drawn nearly 2,000 attendees from more than 60 countries and regions to participate in more than 50 events.
Addressing the opening plenary, Ding noted that changes of the world, of the times and of historic significance, are unfolding in unprecedented ways, with instability and uncertainty mounting evidently across the globe.
Calling for concerted efforts to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, meet global challenges and create a better future for Asia and the world, Ding made a four-point proposal.
First, Asian countries should strengthen solidarity and cooperation through greater mutual trust, as a high degree of mutual trust is a must for building an Asian community with a shared future, Ding said.
"We should champion the Asian values built around peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration, uphold and carry forward the Asian way of mutual respect, consensus building and accommodating the comfort levels of all parties, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, keep building common ground and mutual trust, and jointly create a big Asian family of solidarity and progress," said the vice premier.
Second, Asian countries should promote economic globalization through openness and integration, he pointed out.
"Openness, cooperation and economic globalization are essential for building an Asian community with a shared future. After decades of development, Asia has become the world's most dynamic region with the greatest growth potential, and one of the most important lessons from this success is to actively open its doors and integrate itself into the world. We should jointly safeguard the free trade system, uphold open regionalism and resolutely oppose trade and investment protectionism," said Ding.
Third, Asian countries should promote prosperity and development through mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, he said.
Ding called for efforts to prioritize development, implement the Global Development Initiative, actively improve people's livelihood, and strive to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Noting that Asia is moving steadily to the forefront of the world in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data and new energy, the vice premier urged efforts to strengthen cooperation on science and technology innovation, promote the sharing of technological achievements to better support the development of all countries.
Financing platforms like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund should be better utilized to provide more support for sustainable development in Asia and around the world, he added.
Fourth, Asian countries should safeguard tranquility and stability through peaceful coexistence, Ding said.
Peace and stability are inherent elements in forging an Asian community with a shared future, Ding pointed out, adding that Asia currently remains peaceful and stable on the whole, and that its role as a stabilizer in the global landscape must be cherished.
Countries should pursue the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in Asia, act as builders and guardians of regional peace, and make sure that Asia continues to be a land of peace and stability, he said.
"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. We should work together to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, advocate the correct historical view of WWII, and carry forward the Bandung Spirit, so as to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and foster an environment of shared security for all countries," said Ding.
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.
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.
Chinese vice premier delivers keynote speech at opening plenary of Boao Forum
Chinese vice premier delivers keynote speech at opening plenary of Boao Forum
Chinese vice premier delivers keynote speech at opening plenary of Boao Forum
