The world today is mired in unprecedented division and turbulence: the flare-up of wars in the Middle East, the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict locked in a stalemate, fluctuating global energy prices, and fractured global industrial and supply chains.
Human society now stands at a critical crossroads between conflict and cooperation, division and solidarity, retrogression and progress. Whither should the world go from here is a question we must get right.
Not long ago, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 was held in China’s Hainan province. As well as being the 25th anniversary of the forum, it was also the first annual conference held since Hainan Free Trade Port launched its island-wide special customs operation. Approximately 2,000 representatives from political, business and academic circles in more than 60 countries and regions gathered in Boao to outline a vision for future development.
Here are my takeaways from the conference:
First, disputes should and can be resolved peacefully. As wars rage in some regions, the message sent by the BFA is clear and loud: the right way to bridge differences is through dialogue and consultation, not confrontation and coercion.
The BFA was founded after the 1997 Asian financial crisis as a platform of communication to jointly meet challenges. Over the past 25 years, thanks to mechanisms like the BFA, Asian countries have stood united in responding to crises and challenges and maintained regional stability, creating the “Asian Miracle”.
Asia’s practice has highlighted how countries that vary in national conditions, not seeing eye-to-eye on all issues, can transcend differences and coexist in peace and prosperity. So long as all parties act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and resolve disputes through peaceful means, common ground for cooperation can be found.
Second, cooperation brings win-win outcomes. A report released at the annual conference shows that Asia’s intra-regional trade dependence increased from 56.3 percent in 2023 to 57.2 percent in 2024, with Asian economies’ share of global GDP projected to rise from 49.2 percent in 2025 to 49.7 percent this year.
Asian countries are proving to the world that, despite the uncertainties facing global trade such as growing protectionism, regional cooperation remains a key driver of common development, and the pie of common interests can be enlarged.
Third, a fair and just global order should be the way to go. In a world where unilateralism and protectionism are raising their ugly heads, upholding true multilateralism — as championed by the BFA — has become all the more important for building a fairer and more equitable world, where rules are not dictated by a handful of countries, the right to development is not subject to political conditions, and the voice of all countries, big or small, are heard and heeded.
Today, the Global South countries account for 80 percent of global economic growth, yet they remain in a disadvantageous position and are underrepresented in the global governance system. In response, the BFA this year set up a sub-forum titled “Enhancing Global Economic Governance: The Role of the Global South”.
True multilateralism must ensure that the Global South sits at the table rather than featuring on the menu.
Last but not least, civilizations should interact with and learn from each other. Asia is home to diverse civilizations that intermingle and coexist. Unlike certain countries that seek to stoke ideological and values-based conflicts on the pretext of a “clash of civilizations”, China advocates the Global Civilization Initiative, which is centered on the conviction that no civilization is superior to others, and all civilizations deserve to be respected and cherished as equals.
The 25 years of the Boao Forum for Asia are the epitome of Asia’s pursuit of unity and progress. At this year’s annual conference, the BFA reaffirmed humanity’s common aspirations for a better world — a world that prizes peace over the law of the jungle, pursues win-win cooperation over zero-sum games, upholds justice over hegemonism, and embraces inclusiveness over the clash of civilizations.
If this vision is translated into reality, we will be able to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys enduring peace, universal security and common prosperity, allowing the galaxy of human civilizations to shine brightly.
This is Asia’s answer to the world’s challenges and a vivid embodiment of the philosophy of a community with a shared future for humanity.
The author is a commentator on international affairs.
The views don’t necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
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