This year's Boao Forum for Asia will begin in China's southern-most province of Hainan this weekend. The four-day gathering will run under the theme "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity". Our reporter Zou Yun looked at why this year's event is so important for the future of both China and the world.

Another busy day for Cao Qian at the Boao Forum's public relations office. As the meeting's opening edges ever closer, she and her colleagues are being swamped with requests and queries. Most are for a sit-down with some of the forum's most high-profile guests.

CAO QIAN, PRESS OFFICER BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE "This year you might notice that the speaker list is very luxury, many of them are very much wanted by media to have a one-on-one interview. But the speakers have tight and tough schedules when they are staying in Boao. So they can't take so many one-on-one interviews, just impossible. So we organize media group interviews to better approach each other."

The concepts of free trade and globalization will be the main talking points at this year's Boao Forum for Asia. Amid the escalating trade friction between China and the US, the meeting is coming at an opportune time for China to send out a message. And not just on its values and principles, but practical and specific measures to further advance its economic and social development.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "The issue of how China will further push forward its opening up policy and deepen reforms is under the spotlight. At this year's Boao Fourm, President Xi Jinping will make the most authoritative interpretation on reforms and opening up. You will hear a series of new important measures on this front."

Established in 2001, the forum has now become one of the world's most powerful gatherings, and addresses not only the concerns of Asia, but also the world. And this year, apart from all the attention on trade, there will also be a strong focus on how countries can achieve growth through innovation.

ZHOU WENZHONG SECRETARY GENERAL, BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA "The question is how to achieve more growth, how to make sure the growth will not decrease. It has been exhausted in terms of the growth to be generated through the increasing input of production factors. So I think now innovation is the way out, that's why we have put an emphasis on innovation."

ZOU YUN BOAO, HAINAN PROVINCE "This year's Boao Forum for Asia comes at a critical time given the rising trade friction and protectionist policies worldwide. Experts say there's a real urgency now for these political and business leaders to find new ways to enhance integration and contribute Boao wisdom to fuel economic growth both in the region and around the world."