The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held a plenary session on Thursday in Boao, South China's Hainan province.
Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the event and delivered the keynote speech.
Speaking on the occasion, Zhao noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the forum and stressed that it has become a prestigious platform for promoting exchanges, cooperation and common development among Asian countries and the world.
Zhao stressed that the world faces considerable uncertainty and called on all countries to promote genuine multilateralism and strengthen regional and global cooperation. He stated that only through solidarity can humanity effectively face global risks and challenges and build a better future.
In his speech, Zhao also highlighted China's role as a driver of global growth. He pointed out that over the past five years, China's economy has maintained an average annual growth rate of 5.4 %, total economic output has exceeded 140 trillion yuan (approximately $20.28 trillion) and GDP per capita has exceeded $13,000. China's contribution to global economic growth has consistently been around 30 %, confirming China's position as a key engine of the world economy.
As China prepares for the 33rd APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen this November, Zhao said the country is ready to seize the opportunity as the host country and work with all parties to build community in the Asia-Pacific region and inject more vitality and stronger momentum into regional development.
The BFA, founded in 2001, is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization that aims to promote regional economic integration and bring Asian countries closer to their development goals.
This year's conference takes place from 24 to 27 March under the theme „Shaping our common future: new dynamics, new opportunities, new cooperation“ and is attended by some 2,000 representatives from more than 60 countries and regions.
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