The 2016 Asia Annual Conference to draw the plan ended in Boao City, Hainan Province of China on Friday March 25, 2016.

Asian countries have devised new strategies to surmount growing development challenges staring them, likewise the rest of the world in the face, so as to maintain a steady growth. They met in Boao City, Hainan Province, South China from March 22-25 2016 for their annual conference code-named, “Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016.”

Focusing on the theme, “Asia’s New Future: New Dynamics and New Vision,” participants sought ways of guiding their economic and industrial structural adjustments and strengthening cooperation and exchange between regional economies. Improving infrastructure investment and innovating technology capabilities to respond to challenges was also on the menu.

Continually growing and injecting new life into the world is the ultimate goal. Speaking during the official opening ceremony at the Boao International Conference Centre on March 24, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in the presence of other Heads of Government of the Asian countries, said Asia’s uphill task is to maintain a steady growth path, else it sinks with the challenging times. He added that at a time when global economies are dwindling owing to unfavourable market conditions, there is need for concerted efforts, sincere and mutually-beneficial cooperation. “When we drink water, we must not forget the source,” he noted. The over 2,000 conference participants conveyed condolences to Belgium for the terrorists attacks that hit the country prior to the Boao forum. 

Prior to the official opening of the conference, media executives met to map out how they could federate efforts to give a push to the regional development. The over 18 media executives from 12 countries essentially dwelled on new opportunities for Asia media cooperation within the ‘Belt and Road Initiative.’ It is a China-proposed systematic project that integrates the development strategies of the countries along the Belt and Road. The target is to instil verve into the ancient Silk Road, connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually-beneficial cooperation.

A common view that ran through almost all the media executives was the threats the Asian media like others elsewhere face in the android age. The ‘new media’ pose serious threats to the traditional media by their spontaneity, although noted for often disseminating unfounded rumours and sometimes pure lies to an expectant public whose ears are itchy for just anything.

Almost all speakers agreed that instead of sitting back and complaining about the seemingly irreversible surge of the new media, the traditional media should rather renovate, rethink its content and packaging.