2016 Boao Forum: Annual Asian forum attracts political & business leaders

World Today

South China’s Hainan province will kick off the annual Boao Forum for Asia on Tuesday. It’s a dialogue for government leaders, industrial and business managers from Asia and beyond.

CCTV’s Wang Hui reports.

The BFA had its inauguration in 2001, and since 2002, it has been holding its annual conference here. Although this is the 15th year, it will still bring fresh food for thought.

Staff members are busy with final preparation work. On the 24th, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will make a key-note speech on this stage. There are other smaller meeting rooms in the building. This year, the BAF will hold about 80 sessions. They will cover a wide range of issues, including macroeconomics, internet plus, and entrepreneurship.

As the BFA grows bigger, it has drawn more attention from media. Journalists used to gather inside the main conference area, but this time, a new media center will be up and running. The two-floor media center is 3800 square meters and can accommodate 2500 journalists.

The media center is separated in areas with different functions. One part is for the press, and on the other side, there are studios and rooms for interviews. It’s empty today, but tomorrow it will be packed with busy-running journalists.