It was a balmy afternoon when I landed on Hainan for the first time.  The sunny and breezy island weather was reminiscent of my own tropical homeland. And this year's Boao Forum for Asia saw an unprecedentedly large turnout, as all eyes were trained on China announcing the details of its "One Belt and One Road" initiative.

Indeed, in his keynote speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid the groundwork for these huge essentially transcontinental development programs.

I was quite impressed by his characterization of a better world ushering in a better China and vice versa. China is undoubtedly the locomotive driving the progress of the world economy.

Neighboring countries understand the new norms of China's economic growth, but as China commits to deepen its reform and opening-up, it will link up even more rapidly with its neighboring economies, engendering prosperity for all.

Xi emphasized that the theme of this year's Boao Forum, "a common destiny for Asia," should encompass the principles of equality, diversity and cooperation. I was particularly struck by his matter-of-fact extending of an olive branch that multilateral development organizations including the new China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) should complement each other's good works.

This timely reassurance by Xi perhaps inadvertently accelerated countries from around the world to subscribe to the AIIB as founding members. Russia announced its intention at the forum itself, and most of the industrialized nations, with the notable exceptions of only the US and Japan, are also in the process of joining. In fact, the daily counting of additional AIIB founding members has become an amusing sideshow for many Boao participants.

Xi also propounded the importance of connectivity and especially maritime linkage to foster common growth. I echoed him when I later spoke in a roundtable for think tanks and businesses, and elaborated on the basic necessities for a fruitful maritime linkage.

They include efficient port facilities, seamless logistics, connectivity with railways, highways and airports, and most importantly, free flow across regional borders of professional talents who are indispensable for sustainable economic development. 

Moreover, Xi also reiterated that turmoil and wars are not in the best national interest of China, which propounds both comity and integrity. These are positive words that China's neighbors need to hear periodically, as they welcome the country playing a more proactive regional role.

But it was Xi's next statement on regional security that was of particular comfort to Southeast Asian countries, when he welcomed all parties from within and outside the region to contribute to Asian regional security on the basis of cooperation enhancing security.

At the same roundtable I participated in, I pointed out the urgency of making Asian cultural heritage more "lively" and "digestible" for a younger generation so that these timeless but intangible treasures could be inherited.

China, with its well-developed entertainment industry, could show the way on incorporating traditional elements into blockbuster masterpieces. And more opportunities for exchanges between young Asians, such as summer camps as well as cross-border internship postings, should be created to foster deeper mutual understanding. I also joined the other scholars at the roundtable in welcoming more interactions between think tanks and entrepreneurs across the region.

But above all, I am most impressed with Xi's "musical" comparison of the "One Belt and One Road" initiative not to solo performances but to concerted orchestras.

China has been patient enough to perform consultations with its regional neighbors on these initiatives over the past year. We are glad to see the framework and the action plans taking shape, and we look forward to working closely with China to make them a resounding success benefiting all.

The author is a senior fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn