摘要：Welcome to one of the highlights of our Annual Conference 2025 – the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum, co-organized by the

Party Secretary Feng Fei,

Governor Liu Xiaoming,

Dear colleagues of the BFA Board,

Fellow delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to one of the highlights of our Annual Conference 2025 – the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum, co-organized by the Boao Forum for Asia and our host province – Hainan. The session itself, not to mention the size and level of participation, shows how important free trade and globalization is; for Hainan – the world’s largest free trade port; for China – an economic miracle of the opening-up policy; for Asia – an export-driven economic powerhouse; and for an interconnected and interdependent world whose future hinges upon how open and inclusive our economies can be.

The importance and benefits of free trade are self-evident. Trade, though not yet 100% “free” by far, has tremendously increased the global “economic pie”, lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and misery, and gave many others a chance of richer, better and healthier lives. If we can remove remaining barriers and hurdles to the free flow of goods, services, data, people and capital, the global recovery and growth will be much more robust and sustainable than it is today.

Such self-evident economic truth and common sense, however, is being challenged and undermined in recent years, not just in campaign rhetoric, but increasingly in policies and international trade. WTO figures show that by October 2024, trade restrictions had affected 11.8% of world imports and 3.2% of world exports, with no signs of meaningful roll-back anytime soon. On the contrary, with half of the world’s population and over 70 countries having new leadership in place, we may have to face more uncertainties, complexities, and new developments in unilateralism and protectionism in the year 2025. Like it or not, the global trading environment appears increasingly fragile, uncertain and precarious.

Protectionists claim that globalization and trade worsen inequality, benefiting only wealthy nations and individuals while neglecting marginalized groups and remote areas. What research finds is right the opposite: trade has contributed to an unprecedented income convergence by reducing the gap between poor and rich countries. From 1995 to 2023, the average per capita income nearly tripled in low- and middle-income countries, much faster than the global average increase of 65%. Poor countries narrowed the income gap with rich ones for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. One-third of such impressive income convergence is attributed to trade openness. Trade has also helped reduce extreme poverty in low- and middle-income countries, from 40% in 1995 to 11% in 2022.

Trade and globalization will carry on. Behind it lies the invincible power of the invisible hand. Nowhere are the forces of the market better felt than the “free trade ports” (FTPs) we’re discussing today. At the highest possible level of trade openness, FTPs are the closest to our ultimate goal of trade and investment liberalization. It is an incubator, pioneer and testing ground for innovative & forward-looking trade rules, initiatives and practice. At a time when globalization faces headwinds, FTPs stand out as powerful and convincing examples of what trade and openness can deliver for growth, well-being and sustainability.

Asia is home to some of the leading examples of FTPs, from Dubai, Singapore to Hong Kong, and now the emerging Hainan Free Trade Port. Back in 2018, here in Boao, in the presence of over 2000 delegates of our annual conference, President Xi Jinping pointed out that, China's door of opening-up will not be closed and will only open even wider. This commitment was reaffirmed and substantiated by the ensuing decision to build the Province of Hainan into a Free Trade Port as a national strategy and major step to open China wider to the outside world. China’s opening-up at a high level, undoubtedly, is of great significance and will bring new opportunities for Asia and the world at large.

Converting an entire province into a free trade port is a courageous move that takes vision and leadership. It has proven to be the right one. During the past seven years, my colleagues and I have witnessed with our own eyes how the province has transformed and reinvented itself. From infrastructure, services and tropical agriculture to high-tech industries, Hainan is well on its way to becoming a powerful “magnet” for global talent, capital and resources, and an emerging hub for travel, shipping, logistics and finance. I can see and feel the excitement and enthusiasm of people here, with the official launching of independent customs operations just around the corner. I wish our host province and your people all the best and look forward to your greater contributions to the promotion of free trade and inclusive globalization that benefits all countries, all areas and all communities.

Thank you.

来源：博鳌亚洲论坛