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Themed "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity", the Boao Forum for Asia 2018 Annual Conference, a high-level forum for leaders from governments, businesses and academia in Asia and other continents, runs from April 8 to 11 in Boao, Hainan province. Let's take a look at what Chinese business people said at the event.
Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group, during a talk on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018 on April 9, 2018.
Jack Ma, founder and chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd
Ma said trade is about mutual respect, and nobody can stop globalization. "Trade is about rules and negotiations. If trade stops, war starts," he said.
It's normal for the world's two biggest economies to have problems with trade, but tackling them with a trade war is just like treating a flu with chemotherapy, Ma said. "You are not solving the problem of the cold, you are destroying the whole body, the whole system."
He said the world is facing a lot of challenges from poverty, environment and technology, noting innovation is the only way to solve these challenges and problems.
Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman and president of Gree Electric Appliances Inc, attends a panel discussion during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, April 9, 2018.
Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree Electric Appliances
Automation does not mean fewer job opportunities for employees, and companies should not simply lay off workers, Dong said.
"Instead, the trend reflects a new pattern in cultivating manufacturing talent. In the past, we needed technical workers who excelled in fastening screws. But now we desire quicker learners," Dong said.
"We should not be scared of a smarter era. We should be proud of it and step up efforts to nurture talent that can control machines," she added.
Liu Hualong, chairman of China Railway Rolling Stock Corp, attends a panel discussion during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, April 9, 2018.
Liu Hualong, chairman of CRRC Corp Ltd
CRRC is expected to roll out an "intelligent" train during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Liu said.
"The prototype train is 'smart' in all fields, from technology and design to automation management," he added. Its smart features and energy-saving capabilities will outperform the Fuxing bullet train, Liu said.
By 2020, the company will be on course to unveil a cross-border high-speed train service at 400 kilometers per hour that can alternate between different track gauges, facilitating outbound rail services in Russia and Southeast Asia, Liu said.
Zhang Yaqin, president of Baidu, is interviewed by China Daily at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018 in Hainan, April 10, 2018.
Zhang Yaqin, president of Baidu Inc
In the new round of technological revolution, machine learning, artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles are the key ideas, Zhang said.
Zhang is optimistic about the development of quantum computing technology. "In the future, we'll see more quantum computing technologies, including new architectures and applications," he said.
In terms of personal privacy protection, Zhang said: "Baidu is a big company and produces lots of data. In this case, Baidu plays a very important role, guaranteeing customers' privacy and data are protected. It is also Baidu's first principle."
Liu Yonghao, president and chairman of New Hope Group, speaks during a session at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Boao, Hainan, on April 9, 2018.
Liu Yonghao, chairman of New Hope Group
A great enterprise should first, produce a profit, second, contribute to society, and third, handle the relationships between government, ordinary people and employees, Liu said.
In a specific field, a great enterprise can also lead industry development through innovation, or tackle the problems of environmental protection and poverty, he added.
In recent years, private and high-tech enterprises have been at the forefront, he said. For example, Huawei and Midea, which have strong innovation abilities, are close to becoming global great enterprises.
"I am very proud China has these enterprises, and believe more such enterprises could rise in the country," he said.
Shen Hui, chairman of WM Motor, attends a panel discussion during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, April 9, 2018.
Shen Hui, founder and chairman of WM Motor
"I do not agree with the idea that new energy vehicles face overcapacity," said Shen Hui, chairman of WM, a company backed by search engine Baidu Inc. "It would be heartening news if 100,000 electric smart cars were produced per year, and we aim to be the first to do it."
According to Shen, self-driving vehicles will be safer than those with human drivers if the mass production of driverless cars is realized with abundant data in use. Batteries are also a safer choice than traditional gas tanks.
Shen said the next wave of the mobility revolution will be led by artificial intelligence-equipped electric vehicles.
Chen Derong, general manager of China Baowu Steel Group, attends a panel discussion during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, April 10, 2018.
Chen Derong, general manager of China Baowu Steel Group
China is the largest commodities importer in the world. In the commodities market, it's inevitable to see more products denominated in yuan, especially in the iron ore sector, Chen said.
Last month, China unveiled yuan-denominated crude oil future contracts, the first of its kind open to overseas investors. Now, China accounts for about 70-80 percent of global iron ore trading, and yuan-denominated iron ore can be expected soon, Chen added.
Liu Qingfeng, president of iFlytek, talk to reporters during a press conference on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, on April 10, 2018.
Liu Qingfeng, president of the Chinese voice recognition device manufacturer iFlytek
"Artificial intelligence is coming to us, but it should not be exaggerated. Taking simultaneous interpretation as an example, a machine is at the College English Test Band 6 level on average. It will not lead to having simultaneous interpreters laid off."
(CHINA DAILY)
