Latest news with #AnnualConference2025
Borneo Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Trash, treasure and thrifting: China's youth turns eco-anxiety into trendy action
A staff member demonstrates the plastic recycling process at the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Ziyi) BEIJING (May 6): When Cici Tomato donated her ex-boyfriend's hoodie to a secondhand shop in Shanghai providing what it calls a 'Rescue Wardrobe for Your Ex's Clothes,' she wasn't only thinking about decluttering. 'Letting it go felt like giving both the hoodie and myself a fresh start,' said Cici, who swapped the item for a cropped tank top. The spirit of the service — rehoming clothes to reduce waste and support communities — captures the spirit of China's youth-driven sustainability movement: practical, personal, and undeniably cool. Whether it's redistributing surplus food in mystery bags or using worms to compost in high-rise apartments, young innovators are turning sustainability into a joyful, accessible lifestyle — less of a burden and more of a daily rhythm. Leading the charge is Xishi Magic Bag, a social enterprise tackling food waste by selling 'mystery bags' filled with unsold, discounted, perfectly edible food items from bakeries, cafes and convenience stores. Since 2021, the initiative has expanded to over 100 cities, rescuing more than 10,000 tonnes of food in total. Users see their carbon footprints reduction through an app, blending environmental impact reduction with gamification. 'It's like being a wizard,' said Luona Cai, 32, a partner at Xishi. 'You grab a bag, save food, and bam — you've cast a spell against waste.' Over 80 percent of Xishi users are women aged 18 to 40, drawn by the thrill of treasure hunting while slashing their carbon footprints. The surprise element — the contents of each bag are a mystery — turns sustainability into an adventure. The initiative's impact goes beyond reducing emissions. 'Magic brings new life' is more than just a slogan for Xishi; It was inspired by a user who found it both an emotional comfort and financial relief during a tough job transition. Others have also shared stories of serendipity, like couples who met during bag pickups. 'When sustainability is convenient and fun, people embrace it,' Cai said. This fusion of personal and planetary care resonates with influencers like Su Yige, a 27-year-old sustainable and vegan lifestyle content creator with over 110,000 followers on Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, liftstyle platforms. Su, who began her sustainability journey in college, champions eco-living as 'hedonism, not hardship,' sharing tips on thrifting lipstick, plant-based recipes, and DIY decor for rented apartments. 'Eco-living is a lifestyle, not a mission,' said Su, who rejects the pressure to be an extreme environmentalist. 'People think you need to quit plastic or avoid flights. I say: Start where you are. Even small choices matter.' Businesses are also riding the sustainability wave. In Beijing, Amy Li, a restaurateur and co-founder of Susu & Pakpak, has embraced Xishi Magic Bag as a creative way to manage surplus food and empower young chefs. 'We don't allow popular dishes to sell out,' she explained. 'But prepared ingredients would go to waste. The magic bags enable us to reduce waste and give customers something experimental.' For some, this shift to sustainability goes even deeper. In her 30s, Zhang Ying made a bold career shift, leaving her job as an English tutor to become a full-time nature educator. Zhang, who now goes by her 'nature name,' Sandalwood, teaches children in cities about composting through her apartment earthworm colony. Their 'black gold' fertilizer, which is made from kitchen scraps, nourishes plants and minds alike. 'Apart from being producers and consumers, we're all decomposers in nature's grand story,' she said. 'Even a tiny worm can reshape how we see our place in the world.' This eco-culture shift is evident in data: A 2023 China Youth Daily survey revealed that over 90 percent of college student respondents expressed concern about environmental issues, with many actively practicing eco-friendly habits like reducing food waste, conserving energy and eating more plant-based meals. This proactive mindset fuels platforms like secondhand marketplace app Xianyu, which boasts 600 million users. Restaurants are also seeing surging demand for 'mini' portions, and apps reward low-carbon habits with subway discounts or tree-planting credits. Cai sees a contrast between generations: 'Older people practiced frugality out of necessity. But today's youth, raised in a digital age, are asking deeper questions — about their future, their relationship with nature, and what it means to live with purpose.' Cai and her team now plan to expand Xishi Magic Bag's supply base to include cooked meals, hotel buffets and upstream food suppliers, aiming to tackle food waste at the source. Whether sparked by a discarded hoodie or a rescued croissant, China's youth is rewriting the green playbook one small, fashionable choice at a time. For Su, progress lies in imperfection. 'Eco-living isn't about being flawless. It's about doing your best, your way.' 'Self-care,' Su reflected, 'can go hand in hand with Earth-care.' – Xinhua China environment Recycling sustainability
Korea Herald
30-03-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
BFA's 10th Religious Sub-forum Highlights Global Digitization Project of Buddhist Scriptures
QIONGHAI, China, March 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sub-forum on Religious Harmony and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations took place at the BFA (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 on March 28. The sub-forum focused on the theme "Countless Dharma Doors Converge in a Square Inch: A Discussion on the Future of Digitization Project of Buddhist Scriptures." The gathering brought together 12 eminent monks and cultural researchers from six countries and regions to explore the current state and future of digitizing Buddhist scriptures. Chaired by Venerable Master Yin Shun, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, and President of the Buddhist Association of Hainan Province, the event aimed to advance the preservation and development of Buddhist culture through international collaboration. BFA's Decade of Progress: A Solid Foundation for the Future Yin Shun, reflecting on the ten-year journey of the BFA Religious Sub-forum, noted its steadfast commitment to the foundational goal of building a global community united by a common destiny. The sub-forum has been instrumental in promoting religious harmony and fostering cross-cultural dialogues, while also enhancing international cooperation in the fundamental domains of religion, culture, education, philanthropy, and healthcare. A notable achievement of the sub-forum has been in the area of digital preservation and accessibility of Buddhist teachings. It has effectively used digital technology to compile the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms and has facilitated the digital translation of Buddhist classics across the economically important Pan-South China Sea region. Furthermore, it has proposed initiatives to raise the digitization of these texts as a major national concern. The South China Sea Buddhist Academy, China's premier international Buddhist educational platform targeting Southeast Asia, has made significant contributions by educating 106 international students from several nations, most notably from Laos, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Nepal, and, by doing so, playing a crucial role in the international effort to digitize Buddhist scriptures. Ven. Guang Quan, Deputy Secretary General of the Buddhist Association of China and President of the Buddhist Association of Zhejiang Province, noted the crucial role of digitizing Chinese Buddhist scriptures in enhancing the international dissemination of Buddhist culture. He highlighted the accomplishments of Hangzhou Lingyin Temple in this area, including the development of an AI-based OCR engine for ancient books, production and tool platforms for digitizing ancient books, and a Buddhist scriptures reading hub. Building on these advancements, efforts are underway to digitize Buddhist canons, citing, in particular, the Jingshan Canon, the Yongle Northern Canon and the Siji Canon. Guang Quan's initiatives aim to further the interconnection of civilizations through digital technology, breathing new life into Asian Buddhist wisdom in the digital realm. Bhikshu HUIMIN, President, Comprehensive Buddhist Electronic Text Archive Foundation (CBETA) Taiwan, China, reflected on the establishment of the Electronic Buddhist Text Initiative (EBTI). He provided an overview of the current status of global Buddhist text digitization, highlighting its evolution from digital archives (DA) to digital humanities (DH). Additionally, he unveiled the groundbreaking concept of Artificial Intelligence and Brain-Computer Interface (AI - BCI) for the digitization of Buddhist culture. He stressed that the transition of Buddhism from traditional scriptures to cloud-based platforms represents not only the future of Buddhism but also a new civilization where mindfulness and technology merge. Hong Xiang, Research Assistant at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, highlighted the transformative impact of digital technology on the collation and proofreading of the Dunhuang manuscripts, starting from the digitization project. He noted that the preservation of the Dunhuang manuscripts, which embody the essence of a multi-faceted and symbiotic civilization, demands interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, he advocated for global resource sharing in the digitization of Buddhist scriptures. Zhu Cuiping, Editor-in-Chief of Zhonghua Book Company GuLian (Beijing) Digital Media Tech Co., Ltd, China, pointed out that the digitization of Buddhist scriptures is an enormous undertaking that requires a collaborative effort among the government, religious organizations, universities, research institutes, and publishing entities. She called for the initiation of a global initiative to compile Buddhist literature to drive the worldwide project of digitizing Buddhist scriptures. International Cooperation: Jointly Advancing the Global Digitization Project of Buddhist Scriptures The sub-forum placed particular emphasis on the contributions of Japanese and Korean Buddhism to the digitization of Buddhist scriptures. KAWANAKA KOKYO, Director-General of Administration of Jodoshu, Japan, presented the "Digitization of Zōjō-ji's Three Great Buddhist Canons" project. He urged all parties to collaborate in furthering the global effort to digitize Buddhist scriptures, with the aim of fostering a more peaceful and harmonious future for humanity. JONG-RIM, Honorary Chairman of Tripitaka Koreana Research Institute, Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, shared insights from the digitization efforts of the Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa Temple in Korea. He proposed the future goal of completing a comprehensive Tripitaka and developing a dictionary of concepts and terms utilizing digital technology. South China Sea Buddhist Friendship Circle: Fostering Digital Connections The sub-forum highlighted the role of the South China Sea Buddhist Friendship Circle in the digitization of Buddhist scriptures. Ven. PHRAPROMMASITH (Thongchai Sukkayano) Supreme Patriarchs, elaborated on Thailand's experience in safeguarding Buddhist cultural heritage. He urged international cooperation to facilitate the digitization of Buddhist scriptures, aiming to provide convenient access to anyone anywhere with an interest in reading and better understanding the Dharma. SANDI MARBHIVAMSA, Chairman of Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Myanmar, and Ven. (Dr.) KIRINDE ASSAJI, Chief Prelate (Malwatta Chapter) Sanghanayaka of Sri Lanka's Western Province, provided insights into the current state of Buddhism in their respective countries and the advancements made in the digitization of Buddhist scriptures. They both expressed a strong willingness to collaborate with Buddhist communities from other nations in these endeavors. Looking to the Future: Consultation, Collaboration, and Sharing Ven. YAN JUE, President of the Buddhist Association of China, concluded by emphasizing that Buddhist scriptures represent a shared cultural heritage of humanity. He noted that their digitization presents not only a technical challenge but also a cultural mission. He also underscored the commitment of the Chinese Buddhist community to the global governance principles of consultation, collaboration, and sharing. By partnering with Buddhist and academic communities worldwide, they aim to advance the digitization of Buddhist texts, share the outcomes of these efforts, and further disseminate the teachings and scriptures of Buddhism.
Trade Arabia
27-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Innovation, collaboration key to sustainable growth: Sabic CEO
Sabic, a global leader in diversified chemicals, today (Martch 27) reaffirmed its advocacy for sustainable growth through innovation and collaboration at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)'s Annual Conference 2025 in China. Marking its sixth consecutive year as BFA's honorary strategic partner, Sabic underscored its commitment to fostering cross-industry synergies and cross-regional collaboration to unlock sustainable growth with key stakeholders across the value chain. With its continued investment in China, one of its important and strategic markets, Sabic also underscores its belief that cross-regional collaboration with customers and partners lays the foundation for sustainable economic growth in this changing world. In 2024, Sabic started construction of a 44.8-billion-yuan world-scale petrochemical complex and signed a potential investment agreement to build an engineering thermoplastics compounding plant in Fujian, China. Delivering his keynote address, Abdulrahman Al Fageeh, Sabic CEO and member of the BFA Board of Directors, said: "Companies that embrace innovation and strengthen collaboration can transform the challenges of the changing world into the opportunities of sustainable economic growth." Al Fageeh emphasised the significance of cross-regional and cross-value chain partnerships in scaling up innovative solutions with lasting impact. As the sole representative of the global business community, he also highlighted the chemical industry's unique role in supporting global economic growth. During the BFA Annual Conference 2025, Al-Fageeh also joined business representatives, organization leaders, and industry experts in a high-level roundtable on Promoting Energy Transition in Asia.
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Global Times: Calls for closer cooperation resonate at Boao forum amid uncertainties
BEIJING, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A steady stream of buses, each adorned with the logo of Boao Forum for Asia, flows through the bustling streets, packed with government officials, industry representatives and journalists from around the world. As they converge on the prestigious Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025, which takes place from Tuesday to Friday, in Boao, South China's Hainan Province, the air is charged with anticipation, signaling the grand opening of this high-level event - an extraordinary gathering where ideas, influence and innovation collide on a significant scale. This year's forum holds special significance, particularly amid the rise of global protectionism. On the first day of the Boao Forum for Asia, themed 'Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,' government officials, business leaders, and scholars worldwide called for stronger cooperation among Asian nations. They also highlighted China's crucial role in enhancing regional collaboration, contributing to global stability and creating new opportunities for development in an increasingly uncertain world. According to preliminary statistics, this year's annual conference has attracted around 2,000 representatives from over 60 countries and regions, along with more than 1,100 journalists from nearly 150 media outlets across 30 countries and regions. This strong turnout underscores the world's keen attention on this major regional and international event. At Tuesday's session, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and chairman of the BFA, stated that the event, with both the scale and the level of participation, serves as a strong testament to the significance of free trade and globalization. Ban noted that while global trade is still far from being 100 percent free, it has significantly expanded the global economic pie and lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and hardship. He emphasized that the future of the world depends on how open and inclusive economies can be, which underscores the undeniable importance and benefits of free trade. Speaking on the sideline of the BFA, Zhou Xiaochuan, vice chairman of the BFA and former Governor of the People's Bank of China, said that at the start of the new year, the global situation rapidly shifted. Political, security, economic, and technological factors are intertwining and interacting, presenting new challenges to the international order. With increasing instability and uncertainty, 2025 will be a year for all parties to face challenges together and seek transformation, Zhou noted. Voice of Asia In the current complex international landscape, the critical role of Asia was particularly highlighted at this event. Zhou said that in light of the immense changes in the world, proactively shaping Asia's future has become a major and urgent task for Asian countries. He further noted that Asian nations must actively promote regional economic integration and shape an inclusive, equitable form of economic globalization. Asian countries need to unite in opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism, and uphold true multilateralism, the vice chairman said. Zhou suggested that efforts should be focused on advancing the implementation and expansion of free trade agreements such as the RCEP and the CPTPP, while pushing to reshape the multilateral trading system and its rules, thus injecting endogenous momentum into the rebalancing of globalization. Zhou concluded by expressing hope that the annual conference would provide a platform for exploring the 'Asian solution,' voicing 'Asia's perspective,' and working together to build a shared future for Asia and humanity. In a speech addressed to the audience at Tuesday's session, John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said that Boao is a beacon for dialogue and cooperation. Lee noted that we are currently facing unprecedented challenges, which have left many people at a loss, but within these challenges lie opportunities, as Asia is now the engine of global growth. He noted that it is crucial that we promote multilateralism while firmly rejecting protectionism. Lord Gerry Grimstone, former UK minister for investment, who also participated in Tuesday's event, noted he believes that 'countries in Asia have an important role to play in ensuring that the spirit of multilateralism continues, because if we enter an era of pure nation-state competition, no one will benefit from it.' The growing importance of Asia is further underscored by the latest economic data. According to the Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2025, released by the Boao Forum for Asia on Tuesday, the Asian economy, one of the world's major growth engines, is projected to grow by 4.5 percent in 2025, with its share rising to 48.6 percent among the world's economic output measured by purchasing power parity. At the opening press conference on Tuesday, Zhang Jun, secretary general of the BFA, said that Asia is at the forefront of global development in many areas, showcasing a bright future. 'The world has every reason to be hopeful about Asia's future, and Asia also has every reason to be confident about the future of the world,' Zhang said. China the stabilizer Amid global complexity, China's role as a leading economy in Asia and the world is highlighted, serving as a stabilizer of world trade while creating more opportunities for cooperation in the region and beyond. Pei Sai Fan, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore, shared in an interview with the Global Times and other media outlets that as China's doors of openness continue to widen, there will be more opportunities for cooperation between China and Singapore. Pei believes that new energy and the green economy are key areas for China-Singapore collaboration. He noted that China is at the forefront of global development in these fields, while Singapore is actively promoting its green transition. He emphasized the need for both sides to strengthen analysis and explore broader cooperation opportunities. When asked to comment on potential cooperation between China and Singapore in the field of artificial intelligence, Pei responded that AI development has reached a stage where it is essential to accelerate the exploration of diversified application scenarios. China expects to achieve a GDP growth of around 5 percent this year, which is a strong result, especially considering China's economy is more than $18 trillion, reflecting a high degree of confidence to the world, Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, and a director of the New Multipolar World Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday, extending good expectations for the Chinese market and its economy. Helwig Schmidt-Glintzer, a professor at the University of Göttingen in Germany, also shared his positive expectations for China with the Global Times on Tuesday, citing the nation's continuous efforts to pursue high-quality development. He said, 'China is already one of the leading research countries in scientific fields, offering opportunities for others to cooperate with and learn from China.'' Anne-Laure Kiechel, CEO of Global Sovereign Advisory, a Paris and Abu Dhabi-based firm, told the Global Times on Tuesday that this is her first time at the forum, and she is already amazed by the very positive energy she has witnessed. She was particularly impressed by the fact that industry innovation and investment are always at the forefront in China. 'Our company has done a lot of business related to areas such as trade and investment, including in free trade zones like the one in Hainan, which has been very successful and holds much more potential for the future.' In light of global instability, the Boao Forum has proven to be a consistent and more inclusive platform compared to other forums, Yasiru Ranaraja, founding director of the Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka, told the Global Times on Tuesday. While the future remains uncertain, Ranaraja said that Asia, with China playing an important role, is becoming more prosperous and resilient in the face of these challenges. 'Now is the time for the region to further consolidate trust, strengthen market ties, and inject more stability into the global economic future,' Ranaraja said.
Arab News
26-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistani finmin to attend international economic conference in China today in push for investment
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will attend the four-day Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in China today, Tuesday, state-run media reported, where he is expected to participate in high-level discussions and sessions to talk about Pakistan's economic landscape. Headquartered in China, the BFA is an international organization jointly initiated by 29 member states which holds its annual conference in Boao, Hainan. The founding purpose of the BFA was to promote economic integration in Asia. The theme of this year's conference, which will be held from Mar. 25-28, is 'Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future.' The BFA says the conference is aimed at upholding multilateralism, fostering openness and development, and jointly tackling global challenges while remaining focused on Asia. 'He [Aurangzeb] will elucidate Pakistan's economic outlook during the high-level discussions at the forum,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. 'On the sidelines of the forum, the finance minister will meet delegates from participating countries, officials of commercial and investment banks and senior Chinese officials.' It added that the Pakistani finmin is also expected to meet representatives of selected international and Chinese media representatives. The development takes place as Pakistan desperately tries to wiggle out of a macroeconomic crisis that has drained its foreign exchange reserves, weakened its national currency and increased its existing liabilities. Pakistan came to the brink of a sovereign default in 2023 before it secured a last-gasp deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that year. Islamabad also secured a $7 billion economic bailout package from the international lender in 2024 in exchange for committing to undertake long-term financial reforms in its priority sectors. Islamabad has reached out to regional allies such as China, Central Asian countries and Middle Eastern nations in recent months to attract international trade and enhance investment to escape its economic crisis. China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan that has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the Belt and Road Initiative that is a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch around the globe.
