The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 started a plenary on Thursday in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.
Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, attended the event and delivered a keynote speech.
"First of all, on behalf of the Chinese government, I would like to extend warm congratulations on the convening of this annual conference, my sincere welcome to all the guests attending the meeting, and my heartfelt gratitude to you for your long-term care and support for China's development," said Zhao in the speech.
Founded in 2001, the Boao Forum for Asia (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.
Running from March 24 to 27, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."
Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 holds plenary in Hainan
Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 holds plenary in Hainan
Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Beijing on Monday to begin a four-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
The visit comes after the two leaders met at last year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, as China and Tajikistan continue to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and expand bilateral ties in trade, investment and infrastructure connectivity.
China and Tajikistan established diplomatic relations in 1992, and officials from both countries have described bilateral ties as being at their historical best.
Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Tajikistan have steadily advanced the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan's National Development Strategy to 2030.
China has become Tajikistan's largest trading partner and biggest source of investment. Chinese statistics showed bilateral trade exceeded 3.5 billion U.S. dollars in the first 10 months of last year, up nearly 8 percent year on year.
Cooperation in infrastructure, high technology, education and culture, and people-to-people exchanges also continues to expand.
President Xi Jinping paid state visits to Tajikistan in 2014, 2019 and 2024, while Rahmon is a frequent visitor to China, with this marking his 23rd trip to the country.
The two heads of state have maintained close exchanges and strategic communication over the years.
Tajik President arrives in Beijing for state visit
