The conference is a copy of the World Economic Forum, Poldermans says. ‘It was established in 2001 by the then leaders of the Philippines, Australia and Japan. Since then, the leaders of Asian politics, business and science have met every year to discuss global issues,’ explains the sinologist.
“In recent years, private entrepreneurs have been in crisis in China”
One of the main topics on the agenda is economic growth and cooperation. ‘In particular, economic growth is high on the Chinese agenda. China’s economy was hit hard during the corona virus due to severe lockdowns. “As a result, private entrepreneurs have been struggling in recent years,” says Poldermans.
Weapons
A new landscape for industrial cooperation will also be discussed. China will also sit down with the US, which is also invited. Much to the dissatisfaction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who looks at him suspiciously.
According to Poldermans, the most notable guests are the Prime Minister of Singapore and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Spain is also an important guest at the congress, as the country will hold the presidency of the European Union for the second half of this year. French President Emmanuel Macron will also visit the Forum for Asia. He will talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to prevent the country from supplying Russia with weapons for the war in Ukraine.