China's top legislator calls for joint efforts for better future at Boao Forum

China

China's top legislator calls for joint efforts for better future at Boao Forum

2026-03-26 20:12 Last Updated At：03-27 11:12

China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Thursday called for staying the course and jointly creating a better future at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks in a keynote speech at the plenary of the annual conference, which drew more than 1,600 participants from over 60 countries and regions.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the BFA, Zhao said the forum has grown into a shining example in promoting exchanges and mutual learning, solidarity and coordination, and common development among countries in Asia and the wider world.

Zhao called for rejecting conflict and confrontation, and building a better future of peace and tranquility. Efforts should also be made to reject isolation and exclusion, and build a better future of win-win cooperation.

He also stressed the importance of rejecting hegemonic and bullying practices and building a better future of fairness and justice, as well as avoiding suspicion and distrust and building a better future of mutual respect and trust.

In his speech, Zhao underscored China's unwavering goal to grow its economy and improve people's livelihoods, and in that process, promote the common development of all countries.

Highlighting the recent approval of the outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), Zhao pledged that the country will promote high-quality development, further expand high-standard opening up, and share opportunities with the rest of the world.

According to the top legislator, China will continue to expand domestic demand and share the dividends of its supersized market, and stay committed to innovation-driven development and continue to generate growth momentum.

China will also stay committed to free trade and continue to deepen cooperation with other countries, and adhere to all-round law-based governance and keep improving its business environment, according to Zhao.

Boao Forum for Asia Chairman Ban Ki-moon, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Speaker of Azerbaijan's National Assembly Sahiba Gafarova, and Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Jagath Wickremerathne delivered speeches at the event, and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok delivered a speech via the video link.

They said that China's development has brought opportunities to Asia and the world, and that the China-proposed vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and four global initiatives on development, security, civilization and governance are of great significance.

All parties should uphold multilateralism, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation to jointly promote world peace, development, and prosperity, they said.

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.

Running from March 24 to 27, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."

Robots, AI facilitate guest services at Boao Forum venue

Artificial intelligence and robotics, both major topics of discussion at the ongoing Boao Forum this year, are also being widely adopted at the event as ways to improve the service inside and outside the venue.

The BFA Annual Conference 2026 is being held in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. Running from March 24 to 27, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."

A water generator at the venue cools and condenses moisture from the air into water, then filters and sterilizes it. It can also run on solar power for a completely off-grid, zero-carbon operation.

Meanwhile, a special robot barista operates a coffee stand where guests can order a drink with the press of a button, prompting the robotic arm to get to work -- grabbing a cup, brewing, and frothing -- all in one smooth motion.

The venue has also adopted an AI-based management system, which can automatically adjust a range of factors based on current conditions and detect and respond to anomalies when they occur.

These sorts of systems are already being adopted at a wider scale across Hainan.

"This is our operational management center for the zero-carbon demonstration zone. It’s powered by an AI-driven system that manages all energy consumption and carbon emissions. From here, we can remotely control over three thousand devices across the island with a click, including air conditioners and lighting. It's smart management, done remotely," said Zeng Youwen, chief general engineer of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design Hainan Branch.

Outside the venue, some smart equipment is also sharing the workload. On Boao's coastline, a beach-cleaning robot moves along the shore, sweeping up cigarette butts, debris, and coconut shells.

The robots can work before visitors arrive or after sunset, cleaning up to 3,000 square meters of beach per hour. In the water, a diving robot that clears debris and even has emergency rescue capabilities.

These on-site applications of emerging technologies have helped spur discussions at the forum on how the deep integration of technology and industry is gaining momentum as China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

"Industries can only be upgraded by applying the new technologies, by applying AI, by applying other innovative technology, science and technology, there should all be injected into industries. And that's how the industries are going to produce high quality products. And you will have high quality productive forces that will change the lifestyle, the living standard of the Chinese people and the people living beyond," said Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.