Hong Kong forum focuses on global cooperation and shared development
A forum on international cooperation and development opened Tuesday in Hong Kong, bringing together political leaders, scholars, and cultural figures from China and abroad to discuss global governance, mediation, and cross-cultural exchange.
The 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development, themed around promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, was held in Kowloon and attended by more than 100 guests from nearly 10 countries and regions.
Chang Bo, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development held in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Chang Bo, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said Hong Kong's role as a bridge between China and the world gives the city unique advantages in promoting dialogue and cooperation. He said the forum aims to share China's ideas and experiences on international exchange and common development with the global community.
Chang described cooperation and development as public goods that China seeks to share with the world. He said the forum's focus on the two themes reflects "the trend of the times, the aspirations of the people, and the values the Chinese nation has upheld for thousands of years."
Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, secretary-general of the International Organization for Mediation，speaks at the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development held in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, secretary-general of the International Organization for Mediation, said mediation and dialogue are essential tools for resolving disputes peacefully and strengthening international trust. She said her organization would work to improve global mediation mechanisms and help create a stable environment for international cooperation and development.
Tam Yiu-chung, secretary-general of the Hong Kong Coalition and honorary president of the Peace Research Institute Hong Kong, speaks at the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development held in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Tam Yiu-chung, secretary-general of the Hong Kong Coalition and honorary president of the Peace Research Institute Hong Kong, said growing global challenges have made cooperation and solidarity increasingly important. He added that the Peace Research Institute Hong Kong would continue promoting exchanges on governance and international cooperation through Hong Kong's international platform.
Xu Zhengzhong, chairman of the board of Bauhinia Culture Group Corporation Limited, speaks at the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development held in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Xu Zhengzhong, chairman of the board of Bauhinia Culture Group Corporation Limited, said deeper mutual understanding, stronger cultural ties and mutually beneficial cooperation are key to advancing exchanges between civilizations. He called for stronger efforts to tell China's stories in ways that connect with international audiences.
Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO and senior advisor to the Board of Directors of the Europe Asia Center, speaks at the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development held in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO and senior advisor to the Board of Directors of the Europe Asia Center, delivered a speech, saying the world faces mounting challenges including regional conflicts, climate change, and technological transformation, all of which require stronger global cooperation. She said dialogue and mediation, rather than bloc confrontation, are needed to address international disputes, adding that Hong Kong continues to play an important role in linking Eastern and Western civilizations.
Romano Prodi, former Italian prime minister, delivers a video address at the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development. [Photo/CICG]
Romano Prodi, former Italian prime minister, addressed the forum by video, stressing the importance of communication and dialogue amid current global uncertainties. He said Europe and China could work together to contribute to peace and development, and expressed hope that the forum would become a stronger platform for exchanges between China and Europe.
Guests deliver keynote speeches during the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
The forum featured keynote speeches by scholars and officials from China, Russia, and the U.S. The speakers discussed topics including media cooperation, China-U.S. relations, global governance, and international mediation.
Two roundtable discussions were held alongside the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Two roundtable discussions were held alongside the main forum. One focused on improving global governance through international cooperation, while the other examined pathways toward shared development and future prosperity. Participants from universities, think tanks, media organizations, and international institutions exchanged views on multilateral cooperation, global development, and cultural exchange.
During the event, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), a subsidiary organization of CICG, released traditional Chinese and English editions of a book examining China's high-quality development. Organizers also introduced research on advancing global governance through consultation and mediation.
Guests pose for a group photo during the 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
The 2026 Hong Kong Forum on Cooperation and Development is held in Hong Kong, May 19, 2026. [Photo/CICG]
Held under the guidance of CICG, the forum was jointly organized by the ACCWS, the Peace Research Institute Hong Kong, and the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, with support from multiple cultural and research institutions.