Free trade ports key to region's growth

Free trade ports can drive connectivity and opening-up forward especially in a changing world where geopolitical shifts, poverty and even supply chain disruptions prevail, as emphasized by guests and experts participating in the Free Trade Port Development session on Tuesday under the 2025 Boao Forum for Asia.

Ban Ki-moon, chairman of Boao Forum for Asia, said the impressive participation at the 2025 forum shows how important promoting free trade is, especially in a turbulent world where unfair trade caused by protectionism is rising. This is why it is essential to develop free trade ports to deepen global connectivity and cooperation, he added.

Promoting the growth of free trade ports can help Asia, now an engine of global growth, to promote multilateralism and reject protectionism, stressed John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at the conference.