The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 kicks off on March 24, 2026 in South China"s Hainan Province. Photo: Zhang Yiyi/GT

　　"Many people believe that the "Asian Century" has already arrived," Zhang Jun, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), said on Tuesday at the release of flagship reports during the BFA Annual Conference 2026. The forum kicked off on Tuesday and will last until Friday, attracting about 2,000 delegates from more than 60 countries and regions, along with more than 1,100 journalists from around 150 media organizations covering this conference.

　　Apart from government leaders, heads of international and regional organizations, leading business delegates as well as prominent academics will also attend the Annual Conference. This fully demonstrates the significant influence and appeal of the BFA as a high-level platform for dialogue, while reflecting the strong commitment of all parties to jointly tackle challenges, create development opportunities and promote pragmatic cooperation, Zhang said.

　　This gathering holds special significance as it marks the 25th anniversary of the BFA, the first annual conference after the independent operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), and the opening year of China"s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30). Amid profound global changes, the central question echoing through the forum is: How can China and Asia act as stabilizers in a turbulent world?

　　China provides the stability for the world and Asia is a major force in global growth, several participants in the BFA Annual Conference told the Global Times.

　　Dániel Palotai, deputy governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Hungary), told the Global Times on Tuesday at the forum that stability is always key.