The coastal town of Boao in the Chinese mainland's Hainan Province is buzzing with fresh ideas as international students from Malaysia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam gathered at the 2025 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference. Under the theme 'Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,' these young voices highlighted pathways for cross-border collaboration during a special 'We Talk' session.
Do Pham Ngoc Diem, a Vietnamese student at Tsinghua University, emphasized the transformative role of cultural and economic bridges: 'Through Confucius Institutes in Vietnam and bilateral cultural festivals, we're creating understanding that transcends borders.' Participants shared case studies of successful ASEAN-China partnerships in sustainable tourism and green energy, urging greater youth engagement in regional decision-making.
Kyrgyz student Almazbek Toktogulov noted: 'Digital innovation hubs connecting Central Asian startups with Chinese tech giants show our generation's potential to reshape trade patterns.' The dialogue aligns with BFA's broader discussions on cultivating inclusive growth models where young leaders drive climate resilience and tech-driven economic integration.
