A-Z of 2015 Boao Forum for Asia in spotlight(3)

P|Pollution

Pollution control has become an increasingly urgent matter for rapidly-growing Asian economies after modernization progressed at the cost of the environment. The forum will try to tackle pollution by the power of judiciary with help of BRICS's Chief Justices. Other topics include smog and health, underground water, soil pollution and rehabilitation and sustainable development.

Q|Question

What is the role Asia will play in the global recovery? Will it maintain a robust economic engine despite external uncertainties? Can China continue to lead emerging economies? These questions will be asked with leaders and thinkers attempting to answer.

R|Regional cooperation

Regional cooperation has remained a focus of the forum in recent years. This year it will highlight the "Belt and Road" initiatives, collaboration with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Community of a Common Destiny. The Year of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation will also be launched during the period.

S|Silk Road

A long-expected national plan to materialize the China-led "Belt and Road" initiatives will likely be unveiled during the forum. The AIIB and Silk Road Fund will facilitate the initiatives which have been supported by more than 50 countries and regions along the routes.

The planned Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road was proposed in 2013 and will improve infrastructure and facilitate connectivity to lay the foundation of a prosperous Asia.

T|Transformation

Transformation is a key word at the conference. This year, it will focus on transformation of the "new normal" for the Chinese economy, exporters' transformation and Hong Kong's trade and logistics upgrade. From enterprises to economies, "transformation" has been pivot to adjust to a changing external circumstance.

U|Urbanization

Like China, which is in the middle of urbanization, most of Asian countries are groping for their own paths and facing respective challenges. Attendees will discuss urbanization of rural laborers in cities and agriculture against the backdrop.

V|Virus

From the Black Death to HIV, SARS to Ebola, viruses have influenced human civilization on unexpected scales and in ways medical technology, whether advanced or lagging, could not influence.

Scholars, businessmen and officials will discuss the possibility of setting up a global early-warning system to detect new diseases and the unexpected spread of the old ones.

W|World economy [ The global economy may have got through the worst, but downward pressures and risks still loom at large. The BFA will discuss Asia's role in driving world economic growth.

X|Xi Jinping

It will be the second appearance for President Xi at BFA's annual conference after he became the country's top leader. His keynote speech is expected to have profound influence on regional cooperation.

Y|Yasuo Fukuda

Chairman of the BFA, the former Prime Minister of Japan will give welcoming remarks at the opening plenary on March 28 and talk about East Asian Economic Community at a dinner party the same day.

Z|Zones

Four free trade zones (FTZ) in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong and Fujian have unveiled China exploration of a feasible path to push reform, open up and seek the right balance between government and market.

The progress is significant to trade and cooperation with neighboring regions including the ASEAN economies.