This year’s Boao Forum for Asia is set to kick off Thursday night in Boao, a small town in the southern Chinese province of Hainan.
First held in February of 2001, the annual forum is aimed at promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.
The theme of this year’s event is “Asia’s New Future: Towards a Community of Common Destiny.” Participants will be discussing issues related to macro-economics, regional development, industrial restructuring, technological innovation, politics and security.
Other topics of discussion will include the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China’s economic slowdown and innovative industries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from other Asian countries will be attending the forum’s opening ceremony on Saturday morning.
Taiwan’s former Vice President Vincent Siew is set to meet the Chinese leader before the ceremony. He will then fly to Singapore to attend the state funeral for the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The Boao Forum for Asia will run through Sunday.