Boao 2014: China's renewed economic diplomacy
- By Tim Collard
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 9, 2014
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The sitting of the Boao Forum in the island province of Hainan suggests that China wishes to gain a pole position in the development of the regional economy. |
The annual convention of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) has become an increasingly prestigious event ever since the forum was first launched in 2001. It is a significant component of China's increasing regional diplomatic profile, geared towards mutual economic cooperation and confidence-building. This year, a host of government leaders from Asia-Pacific nations will be attending, demonstrating that Boao is now a prominent element on the diplomatic calendar.
The timing of the forum is especially propitious for China. After a month largely spent looking inwards, in the context of the major annual NPC and CPPCC sessions, China now has the opportunity to turn to its international relations with a flourish. Attendance at Boao is not strictly limited to regional representatives; even the prime minister of Namibia, in southern Africa, will be attending, as will a number of retired government leaders whose experience will be valuable to their successors.
Of course the attendance of so many senior international figures will allow for a great deal of bilateral diplomacy in the margins. A broad selection of regional and international business leaders, as well as a spread of media organizations, will add further interdisciplinary elements to the discussions and networking opportunities.
Yet the forum itself carries a multilateral economic focus, aimed at concentrating on the common interests of all participants. This year's theme is "Asia's New Future: Identifying New Growth Drivers." The idea of a "new future" is thought-provoking; should that perhaps be contrasted with an "old future"? Nevertheless, projections for the future are indeed constantly changing as a result of the speed of development, especially in the Asian region. Additionally, the focus on "new growth drivers" encourages a detailed study of those elements likely to produce this growth, rather than limiting the discussion to general principles and aspirations.
