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“Shanghai Forum 2016”
Interconnectivity, Integration and Innovation: Building Community of Common Destiny in Asia
The current world economy is going through an in-depth adjustment. Some developed countries and economies are recovering slowly while the emerging market economies are facing an economic slowdown. There is an insufficient overall momentum that exerts a far-reaching influence on the political, diplomatic, social and cultural affairs of all countries. On the other hand, the widespread use of the Internet and big data as well as the enthusiasm of the young generation in innovation and entrepreneurship also brought unlimited possibilities for the economic and social development of each nation. Under the circumstances, Asian countries are facing enormous challenges and opportunities.
The first fifteen years of the 21st century have witnessed the rise of Asia. With the booming in this period, Asia has become the world's most dynamic growth pole, with a steadily-rising position in the world economy. And it is also playing an increasingly active role in the world political stage as it has a significantly-increasing impact on the international affairs. It can be fairly said that where Asia is going, to a large extent, will shape the future of our planet.
In the new situation, it has become the consensus of the Asian countries to build an Asian Community. For most members of Asia, their further economic development is in need of a larger platform, with which they can effectively deal with the complex traditional and non-traditional challenges through cross-border cooperation. And the closer people to people exchange requires a more convenient institutional arrangement. In this case, the only win-win choice is to build a regional community to deepen the economic cooperation, facilitate the mutual security, and enhance the cultural exchanges. The concept of building an Asian Community reflects the confidence and self-consciousness of this continent, and its achievement will create a whole new Asia.
Asian Community is by no means a mere castle in the air; instead, it is based on a solid reality. The ASEAN Community is about to be accomplished; the “One Belt One Road” strategy is unfolding; and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is expanding. Various bilateral, multi-lateral and sub-regional cooperation arrangements are flourishing in the Asian countries. Innovative cooperation mechanisms, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIS), are offering multiple horizons for the Asian Community. And all these valuable efforts are contributing to the building of a regional community.
The important starting point to build the Asian Community is interconnectivity and integration. As Asia boasts of a vast land and a diverse culture, with uneven levels of economic development and different political systems, the only way to make each country a part of the Community is enhanced interconnectivity and integration. We should promote policy communication, roads connection, trade flow, currency circulation, and people to people exchange and understanding, in an effort to lay a solid framework foundation for the Community, so that the vast and diverse Asia can be really bonded.
The key to build the Asian community is innovation. In the 21st century, to facilitate the Asian Community requires creative development models, cooperation methods, and cooperation concepts. New development models will bring faster and better growth; new ways of cooperation will expand the areas of cooperation and release stronger forces for cooperation; and new concepts of cooperation will contribute to overcoming all sorts of obstacles in the cooperation, which will be achieved in every corner of the continent.
To move towards a regional community is the determination and choice of the Asian nations in the 21st century as well as the glory and dream of their people. As the Shanghai Forum is stepping into its second decade, it will be focusing on the building of the Asian Community and on exploring the idea and conception, the way and path, as well as the opportunities and challenges. This not only embodies the consistent attention of the Forum on the Asian development, but also shows a keen grasp of the future trends. We believe that the multi-perspective discussions on this major topic will play a positive role in facilitating cooperation in Asia.
Shanghai Forum 2016 consists of four panels including Integration & Innovation, Coordination & Governance, Green Development and Cooperation & Sharing.
Integration & Innovation: How to enhance cross-regional collaboration and integration so as to enrich innovative ideas? How to promote the transformation and upgrading of the country and society with innovative development modes? How to ignite the productivity through technological innovation?
Coordination & Governance: How to coordinate different sectors in handling regional governance problems? How to find effective ways and mechanisms to control, regulate and solve Asia issues such as internet security, financial crisis, economic stagnation, interest conflicts, environmental pollution and population crisis?
Green Development: How to deal with the increasingly severe Climate crisis? How to implement green and low-carbon economy so as to realize sustainable development?
Cooperation & Sharing: How to deal with complicated traditional and non-traditional challenges through regional and transnational cooperation? How to build a regional community, deepen economic collaboration, expand cooperative area, share resources and so as to create an interconnecting and win-win situation?
