China’s pivot from zero-Covid sets the stage for Boao Forum for Asia and 19th Asian Games

Numerous sports and trade events are expected to go ahead this year after being postponed, scaled down or held online since the pandemic began
The Boao Forum, an economic conference, and the 19th Asian Games are among the big name events set to run after reopening, organisers say

China's border reopening

He Huifengin Guangdong

Published: 7:00am, 7 Jan 2023

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China is expected to resume hosting international events and exhibitions this year, as the country gradually reconnects with the rest of the world to regain footing in key economic and technology sectors.

Quarantine measures for inbound travellers will be lifted and international flights will resume from Sunday as Beijing pivots away from its hardline zero-Covid policy, which has isolated the country for the past three years.

The change will set the stage for numerous sports and trade events this year that have been postponed, scaled down or held online since the coronavirus pandemic began.

The Boao Forum for Asia, an annual economic event on the southern island of Hainan, will take place this year after the gatherings of the national legislature and the top political advisory body in March. Organisers plan to invite foreign guests and hold more on-site events.

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The conference is expected to draw crowds similar to the pre-pandemic level in 2019, when it attracted more than 2,000 attendees from more than 60 countries and regions worldwide, including 14 heads of state and more than 140 ministerial-level officials, organisers told the Post.

The forum was scaled down under China’s hardline zero-Covid policy, shifting to online discussion panels and small gatherings under tight restrictions.

According to the “2021 China Exhibition Index Report” released at China International Fair for Trade In Service in September, 1,603 exhibitions – national or international – were held in China in 2021, a drop of nearly 30 per cent from 2019.

The figure fell to just 292 last year, according to Chinese news website Caixin, as massive virus controls and lockdowns dealt a heavy blow to economic activity and social mobility.

The policy barriers for foreign experts and industry players to re-enter China have been dropped

Luo Jun

Activities and events that connect China with cutting-edge global technology will also be launched soon, according to Luo Jun, executive director of the China Computer Industry Association’s Metaverse Industry Professional Committee.

“The policy barriers for foreign experts and industry players to re-enter China have been dropped,” Luo said.

“We are optimistic that we will attract academics and representatives of leading companies from different countries to China to exchange and collaborate on how to explore and build a global ecosystem for the metaverse.”

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Luo said the committee will host one conference on the metaverse in February and a bigger event in September, after it was previously scheduled for December but delayed due to virus outbreaks.

“The metaverse is a whole new ecosystem that not any single company or country can lead or develop alone,” he said.

“So professionals in artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction are willing to come and learn about each other’s understanding of the new sector, including business models, technology routes and industrial paths.”

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MWC Shanghai, a major mobile industry gathering, will be held in late June after being cancelled last year as the city’s exhibition halls were converted into temporary hospitals and quarantine centres.

“We are planning to invite our clients, partners and analysts across Asia to attend the long-awaited event,” said a PR manager from a leading telecommunications giant in China who refused to be identified.

“We believe dozens of thousands of global industry insiders will be gathering again in China.”

The MWC Shanghai in 2019 attracted 75,000 industry professionals and consumers from more than 100 countries and regions, according to London-based organiser GSMA.

We are looking forward to China’s progress in reopening borders this year, but uncertainty remains

Jay Chau

Soon after, the World University Summer Games are set to be held in Chengdu between July and August after two successive years of postponement.

The Olympic Council of Asia announced the 19th Asian Games will also be held in Hangzhou in September and October having been postponed from September last year.

Chinese artists and students are also looking forward to travelling to overseas exhibitions and international events, said Jay Chau, the chairman of the Asian Art Association Singapore.

“For overseas travels by the Chinese public for private purposes, the related policy is not yet clear,” he said.

“We are looking forward to China’s progress in reopening borders this year, but uncertainty remains.”