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Boao Forum for Asia opens in China to discuss globalization, free trade

The Boao Forum for Asia is similar to the World Economic Forum headquartered in Davos

BOAO /China/, March 23. /TASS/. Globalization processes and fight against protectionism are the focal points on the agenda of the Boao Forum For Asia Annual Conference that opens in China’s Boao (Hainan province) on Thursday. This year, its motto is "Globalization and Free Trade: The Asian Perspectives".

Russian trajectory

Russia traditionally takes an active part in the forum, which will this year continue until March 26. In 2014, the forum was attended by the delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. The Russian delegation discussed with Chinese partners ways to bolster Russian-Chinese partnership in the financial, energy, industry and investment sectors.

In 2015, the Russian delegation was led by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov. A memorandum on cooperation was signed between representatives of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Forum for Asia. According to the president of the Russian Chamber for Commerce and Industry, Sergey Katyrin, the agreement became a good background for encouraging Russian business in China. The Russian chairman of the Russian-Chinese Business Council, Gennady Timchenko, said "the energy sector, finance and infrastructure are the main directions of Chinese-Russian cooperation".

Last year, Russia was represented at the forum by Director General of the Far East Development Fund Alexei Chekunov, Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives Andrey Nikitin and the head of the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo, Andrey Sharonov.

This time, Director General of the Far East Development Fund Alexei Chekunov and Director General of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev will attend.

The Boao Forum for Asia is similar to the World Economic Forum headquartered in Davos. This is an important site for signing major international agreements, for coordinating positions between representatives of the business and government circles of many states. It has been held since 2001.

This year, more than 1,700 politicians, economists and business people from 50 countries and regions of the world are expected to take part in the forum.

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