East Meets West | Wu Shicun: How Can the Boao Forum for Asia Shape a Common Future?

How can AI · Boao Forum find certainty amid uncertainty?

China News Service Haikou, March 23 — Title: How does the Boao Asia Forum shape a shared future?

— Interview with Wu Shicun, Chairman of Huayang Marine Research Center and Founding Director of the South China Sea Institute

Reporter Wang Ziqian and Zhang Qianyi

The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Boao Asia Forum will be held from March 24 to 27 in Boao, Hainan. As the world undergoes profound changes, with major adjustments in global economic and trade patterns, how can the Boao Asia Forum play a role and help Asia shape the future? Wu Shicun, Chairman of Huayang Marine Research Center and Founding Director of the South China Sea Institute, recently gave an interpretation in an exclusive interview with China News Service.

Video: [Dongxi Wen] How does the Boao Asia Forum shape a shared future? Source: China News Service

Below is a summary of the interview transcript:

China News Service Reporter: The theme of the 2026 Boao Asia Forum is “Shaping a Shared Future: New Situations, New Opportunities, New Cooperation.” Both last year’s theme and this year’s mention the word “future.” How do you interpret this?

Wu Shicun: Currently, we are at a crossroads in a world full of uncertainties. Geopolitical and economic shocks are profoundly reshaping the future of the world and Asia. Against this backdrop, this year’s theme highlights “future,” with three distinct features:

First, it reflects forward-looking thinking. In the face of uncertainty, it’s not about passive response but proactive thinking about how to shape the future. The topics of plenary sessions, sub-forums, and roundtables are closely aligned with “how to find certainty from uncertainty,” showing a clear future orientation.

Second, it emphasizes the importance of building consensus and cooperation. To respond to changes, we must gather strength from all sides. Asia has many countries with vast differences in economic development levels, religions, and cultures, but the trend of regional integration under anti-globalization pressures is unstoppable. From the full implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) among 15 signatories to the advancement of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the proposed Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, Asia is advancing regional cooperation mechanisms to address future uncertainties.

Third, it echoes the deepening of the concept of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. Unlike last year’s focus on “co-creating Asia’s future,” this year’s theme expands the vision to “a shared future,” which means that in the current backlash against globalization, Asia cannot stand alone but must develop together with other regions, achieving “you in me, me in you.” Only by jointly shaping the future can we truly move toward sustainable peace and prosperity.

On March 27, 2025, the Boao Asia Forum 2025 Annual Meeting opened in Boao, Hainan. Photo by China News Service reporter Han Haidan.

China News Service Reporter: How do you understand the “new situations,” “new opportunities,” and “new cooperation” in the 2026 annual theme?

Wu Shicun: This year’s theme is centered on the character “new,” reflecting deep insights into the current global landscape.

“New situations” mean increased challenges, and certainty may become a luxury. The actions of Trump after returning to the White House are shaking the post-World War II global order centered on the United Nations and based on international law. Meanwhile, dozens of countries and regions are on the brink of war or conflict, and the international system and governance mechanisms established after WWII are either failing or being torn apart.

“New opportunities” imply that challenges also contain opportunities. These come from three aspects: first, the collective rise of the Global South is reshaping the global power structure; second, Asia’s economic resilience remains strong, serving as an important engine of the world economy; third, China’s role as a source of certainty is increasingly prominent. The recently released “14th Five-Year Plan” provides clear direction for China’s future development, and I believe this forum will also send positive signals about new cooperation opportunities between China and other countries.

“New cooperation” is not just dialogue but seeking joint strength. Facing common challenges, Asian countries need to shift from “passive response” to “proactive shaping.” I believe that at this forum, from green transformation, digital economy, to AI security, from regional integration to global governance initiatives, Asian countries have the capacity and wisdom to propose strategies for risk response, strengthen cooperation, and achieve prosperity, injecting more certainty into an uncertain world.

On March 21, 2025, aerial view of the permanent site of the Boao Asia Forum. Photo by China News Service photographer Luo Yunfei.

China News Service Reporter: 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Boao Asia Forum. Over the past 25 years, what positive contributions has the forum made to enhance exchanges and promote cooperation? How can it provide more certainty and positive energy for a world in turmoil and transformation?

Wu Shicun: The Boao Asia Forum has gone through an extraordinary 25 years, with its contributions mainly in four aspects:

First, it has built a high-level platform for dialogue among Asian governments, businesses, and academia. Founded in 1998 after the Asian financial crisis, the forum was created to gather leaders from politics, business, and academia to discuss urgent and strategic regional issues, respond to common challenges, and promote Asian economic integration. Looking back over 25 years, the forum’s role and contributions in this regard are significant.

Second, it is an incubator for ideas on Asian regional economic integration. Over the past 25 years, many important consensus and initiatives originated here—such as the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, RCEP, and the third version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area—many of which began as ideas in Boao and later turned into actionable steps. The forum has played a catalytic role in these regional cooperation concepts.

Third, it has become an important bridge for China’s interaction with the world. The annual Boao Asia Forum is almost the first multilateral diplomatic event after China’s two sessions, focusing on economic issues and organized by international organizations. The signals from China’s two sessions are often further explained through this platform; likewise, the international community gains a more direct understanding of China’s macroeconomic policies and future directions. Boao is both a window for the world to understand China and a bridge for China to go global.

Finally, the forum has deeply empowered the development of Hainan, the host location. Over the years, Hainan has made great progress in infrastructure and large event hosting capabilities, and the forum has broadened horizons, clarified development ideas, increased international visibility, and established extensive relationships. The development and prosperity of Hainan are closely linked to the forum’s roots and growth.

Looking ahead, the forum will continue to serve as a bridge, enhancing communication and translating visible results. By setting key topics, elevating the forum’s ideological level, and internationalizing its organization, it will gather consensus and, through forward-thinking ideas and China’s strong domestic market, inject more certainty and stability into a world in turmoil and change.

On March 21, 2025, aerial view of the permanent site of the Boao Asia Forum. Photo by China News Service photographer Luo Yunfei.

China News Service Reporter: In 2026, China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” begins. The plan emphasizes “expanding high-level opening-up and creating a new situation of win-win cooperation.” What certainty does an open China offer to Asia and the world?

Wu Shicun: In today’s world full of uncertainties, China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” provides multiple certainties to Asia and the world:

Policy certainty. Since 1953, China’s five-year plans have never been interrupted. They are the product of collective wisdom from politics, business, academia, and the public, representing a comprehensive, actionable, and implementable blueprint for China’s economic and social development. The continuity, stability, and transparency of policies serve as a “stability anchor” for China’s development within the global economy.

Market certainty. The “14th Five-Year Plan” explicitly states the goal of “building a strong domestic market.” With 1.4 billion people and 400 million middle-income earners, China has the world’s most potential large-scale market. Regardless of external changes or some countries’ calls for “decoupling,” China remains an attractive destination.

Development path certainty. Facing external challenges, China insists on building a strong domestic market and focusing on technological independence and self-reliance, safeguarding food, energy, and technological security. More importantly, China keeps its promises and acts with integrity. This certainty has earned international recognition for China’s concepts like the Community with a Shared Future and the four global initiatives.

Therefore, in a turbulent world, China’s development path, policy directions, and market size create a predictable, trustworthy, and tangible “certainty.” As the “14th Five-Year Plan” is gradually implemented, this certainty will become clearer, and “market confidence” may once again prove to be a bright spot, overshadowing “Western brightness and Eastern darkness.” (End)

About the interviewee:

Wu Shicun, founder and chairman of Huayang Marine Research Center, founding director of the South China Sea Institute, and chairman of its Academic Committee. He is a part-time professor at Nanjing University, a chair professor at Xiamen University, and a member of the Strategic and Security Research Center at Tsinghua University. He is also a member of the Foreign Ministry’s Foreign Policy Advisory Committee. Wu has long served as Deputy Director and Director of the Hainan Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and has been involved in the founding and development of the Boao Asia Forum. He conducts interdisciplinary research on South China Sea history and geography, maritime delimitation, international relations and regional security, marine governance, and Hainan Free Trade Port, leading over 400 research projects and publishing more than 400 academic articles and commentaries in top domestic and international journals and media.