Daily Times

With a strong call for multilateralism and firm stand for better cooperation, shared prosperity and destiny, Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2019 was concluded at Boao city in south China’s Hainan Province having the theme “Shared Future, Concerted Action, Common Development”. Based on the model of World Economic Forum, BFA has also been termed as “Asian Davos” wherein nearly 2000 delegates from 60 countries from across the globe including heads of governments, bureaucrats, business influential, representatives of global think tanks, professionals and experts attended this important Asian gathering of leaders. Driven by China and established in 2001, the BFA is considered as the most important, open and inclusive platform where political, business leaders and scholars from across Asia and the globe. These experts from diverse fields come together also to find answers to pertinent issues of world politics, economy, regional peace and prosperity.

In the opening plenary, Prime Minister of People’s Republic of China Mr. Li Keqiang spoke with the wisdom of Chinese long history of promoting the noble spirit and philosophy of mutual cooperation. While acknowledging the strength of Asia as a region having the power and resilience to maintain the world peace, stability and give a boost to the global economy, Chinese Primer was of the of the view that improving the lives and livelihoods, economic growth are the common goals for all the Asian countries. We can recall that President Xi announcement of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) way back in the 2013 where Premier Li made similar remarks outlining the Chinese vision for collective regional growth and economic integration. Premier Li’s speech manifests that multilateral approach towards regional development, integration and cooperation on economic front as well as efforts to resist challenges which may tend to hinder development in future. It is evidently established that opportunities come with certain challenges, which can undermine the potential of said opportunities if not addressed. Premier Li also hinted at the challenges what Asia is facing and envisions future where Asian states collectively work together to collectively resist risks and challenges.

China seeks concentrated efforts on the part of all Asian states to establish strong innovation base, strengthen cooperation in innovative development and smart work for more efficient production. Moreover, Premier Li stressed that Asian nations must join hands to establish fair, transparent, open and more predictable business environment where all partner states can seek equal opportunities of growth. He envisioned innovation driven development, which could ensure steady but consistent growth of a region as a whole. To achieve this end, regional integration is indispensable along with synergized economic policies of the states. Premier Li stressed that the Asian states must engage in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations to achieve consensus enabling partners to achieve win-win trade environment and to build vibrant local market in complete synergy with BRI. The identical economic policies driven by multilateralism would create equal growth opportunities to trading partners in Asia.

China is challenging competing forces to multilateralism emanating from the US practicing protectionism in trade. President Trump announced before the United Nations General Assembly 2018 that the US would not engage increasingly in trade saying ‘No longer will the United States be taken advantage of”. The slogan of making America great again was anti-thesis of Chinese multilateral approach of collective growth. Since then, the US initiated protectionist approach to resist imports from China making them subject to heavy tariffs and import duties. It was a step to resist economic growth of certain state by the US having the history of using economic coercion again for un-welcoming states.

The US intend to disarm North Korea’s nuclear assets by force whereas China pressed for negotiations, and even brokered them. The US withdrew unilaterally from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and announced sanctions on it. China chose to stand by Iran and to respect international agreement.

On the other hand, Chinese trade practices do not let any state deprive of achieving its economic potential rather offer soft loans for economic sustainability of partner states. The Chinese led BRI is glaring example of its multilateral approach seeking collective growth and equal prosperity with shared prosperity. Evidently, China partnered with up to 70 states in worth USD multi-billion project BRI round the globe and pledge to assist its partners in uplifting development projects. But at the same time, China believes in multipolar and multilateral approach meaning each state should partner itself with other state in regional proximity to seek growth. That is why, Premier Li rightfully urged Asian states to more actively engage in innovative development in an inclusively Asian mechanism along with BRI.

Keeping in view the regional integration of largest continent, Asia, there are four major regional cooperation organizations namely Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Eurasian Economic Community (EEC). These organizations are built over the period of time and continued to grow organically but interestingly, all the organizations represent geographically smaller regions of vast Asia which collectively constitute whole of Asia. SCO shares border with ASEAN nations, SAARC nations and EEC nations thus there exists natural proximity. All it takes to have comprehensive mechanism of trade in place and fast communication channels be it maritime or continental. Additionally, it is perceived that economic growth cannot be achieved with political growth or influence wherein Asia is a house to four nuclear weapon states and biggest economy of the world. They have the capacity to lead the region in positive direction as Premier Li put ‘Asia is a conclusive force to maintain peace in world’.

In the light of above arguments, a comparison can be drawn between Asia and rest of the developed world in terms of economic and political ideology. Asia is emerging as a leader led by China in the world where it asserts its rational position in favour of states disliked by the dominant world powers like the US. The US intend to disarm North Korea’s nuclear assets by force where China pressed for negotiations, even brokered it. The US withdrew unilaterally from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with Iran and announces sanctions on it wherein China choose to stand by Iran and to respect international agreement. China widely acknowledges the role of Pakistan in fighting against terrorism as Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi stated the world should end its double standards towards Pakistan while speaking to a joint communique after first Pak-China Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue in March, 2019. China called both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and resolve bilateral issues through negotiations.

Boao Forum for Asia has projected the future of Asia as a whole which would be prosperous, peaceful, stable and attractive for all to invest and come forward to collaborate. This Boao Conference is iconic in terms of its message and interpretation of Asian ideology ahead of 2nd Belt and Road Forum to be held in China in April 2019 with global leaders in attendance. This also highlights the fact that Asians hold Asia most dear as a home above all. China would present same message of peace and stability to the rest of the world after it tells Asia what they are up to.

The writer is Director, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Secretary General, Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organization Friendship Forum