This Day, That Year

Editor’s Note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy.

On Feb 27, 2001, the Boao Forum for Asia was officially established. Since then it has played an active role in arranging dialogue platforms for the public, private and academic sectors.

It is seen by many observers as a major event in envisioning Asia’s future. Known as the “Asian Davos”, it has been successfully held in Boao, Hainan province.

This year, globalization and free trade will continue to top the agenda for the annual conference, which focuses on solving the shared problems facing the Asia-Pacific region.

It will be held from April 8 to 11.

“An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity” will be the theme of the conference, which will include more than 60 sessions.

As increasing regional events like the Boao forum have been held in the country, China’s role in both the regional and global stage is growing.

In May, China hosted the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, yielding more than 270 concrete outcomes such as trade agreements.

The G20 Summit was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in September 2016.

Besides the Boao forum, this year China will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and the leaders’ summit for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.