What’s new: China will host the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference from March 28 to March 31 in the town of Boao on South China’s island province of Hainan, the first time the event will be held fully in-person since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.
Known as the “Asian Davos” for its resemblance to the World Economic Forum, the BFA will bring together delegates from governments, businesses and academia to discuss deepening international cooperation in the post-Covid era, under the theme: An Uncertain World: Solidarity and Cooperation for Development Amid Challenges.
The background: The BFA was founded by 26 Asia-Pacific countries including China, Japan and Australia to promote economic integration in the region. There are currently 29 member states.
The annual conference usually takes place in March or April. In 2020, the BFA was canceled amid the Covid-19 outbreak. In 2021 and 2022, organizers adopted a hybrid in-person and online format.
Headquartered in Beijing, the BFA takes its name from its location Boao, which has been the permanent venue for the annual conference since 2002. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have previously addressed the forum.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
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