Xi to Give “Authoritative Account” of Reform and Opening at 2018 Boao Forum

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Chinese president Xi Jinping is expected to provide a detailed and “authoritative” outline of Bejing’s new reform and opening plans at the 2018 Boao Forum.

Xi is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Boao Forum, as well as meet with visiting heads of state and the leaders of international organisations.

Wang Yi (王毅). head of China’s Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on 3 April that Xi’s speech will “provide the most authoritative outline of how China will advance further foreign opening, and deepen reform,” as well as serve to unveil a series of key measures for reform and opening.

Xi’s previous speeches at the Boao Forum have dwelt at length upon the same policy theme. At the 2013 forum Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech that we will uphold reform and opening unchanged,” while at the 2015 forum Xi stressed that China would “more firmly deepen reform and opening.”

Wang Jun (王军) from the academic committee of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges said to The People’s Daily that given that 2018 marks the anniversary of China’s reform and opening, “it is of extremely important significance that at this time that [Xi] show to the entire world China’s determination to open up.”

“President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the annual forum will on the one hand summarise China’s 40 years of reform and opening, and on the other hand outline future directions,” said Wang. “China’s next step will be how to further expand opening and decide which measures to adopt.”