April 26

DEFYING headwinds from the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, fragile global economic recovery and complex geopolitics, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2022 has voiced the importance of an open mind and coordinated global actions loud and clear.

Themed “The World in COVID-19 & Beyond: Working Together for Global Development and Shared Future,” the forum was held from Wednesday to Friday in Boao, a coastal town in China’s southernmost province of Hainan. It gathered government officials, heads of international organizations, experts and entrepreneurs from all over the world to discuss the post-pandemic development agenda.

From improving public health, promoting common prosperity, and realizing carbon neutrality to proposing the Global Security Initiative, China has shared its wisdom and demonstrated its resolution to bring more certainties to the world’s prospects.

Delivering remarks for the opening ceremony, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that China as the world’s second-largest economy is of great significance to promoting the world’s economic recovery.

Meanwhile, all countries over the globe should strengthen their cooperation to achieve the goal. “In a world of change, one thing remains constant -- the importance of solidarity between countries,” Georgieva said.

BRIDGING IMMUNIZATION GAP

“Last year when we met, much of the talk was on COVID-19. This year, the virus is still here with us,” said BFA’s chairman Ban Ki-moon in his welcome speech during the opening ceremony of this year’s conference.

To date, the world has recorded more than 500 million COVID-19 infections and the novel coronavirus has claimed the lives of over 6.2 million people. For humanity to clinch a final victory against the pandemic, more hard efforts are needed.

China has provided over 2.1 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations. It will follow through with the pledged donation of 600 million and 150 million doses of vaccines to Africa and ASEAN countries respectively, as part of its effort to close the immunization gap.

Be it in delivering vaccines abroad or producing them overseas, China has honored its commitments with concrete actions. “China action” has won rounds of applause from BFA attendees.

“China is doing its best, not only to protect its own people but also to make a huge contribution,” said Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, former director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Alessandro Golombiewski Teixeira, a former chief economic advisor to the president of Brazil, is “a big supporter” of China’s dynamic zero-COVID approach.

TOWARD GREENER FUTURE

Ranging from the venues which are solely powered by green electricity, to the recyclable and degradable cups provided to BFA guests, low-carbon applications and design details can be spotted throughout the BFA venues.

The conference’s green transition has mirrored China’s continuous pursuit of a greener future. China has announced its ambitious targets of peaking CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.

China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, has become the largest user of renewable energy over the years, with its carbon intensity slashed significantly. The country’s enterprises are also scrambling to walk the talk.

During the BFA, a newly developed stainless steel material bought by BROAD Group caught the attention of many guests. The construction material can reduce carbon emissions by 90 kg per square metre, equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by five trees. Source : Xihhua