They’ve spoken and their voices have been heard. Since its launch in December 2010, the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable has brought together some of the region’s most influential and respectable leaders in their own fields to expound their insights into key issues embracing the political, business and social arenas around Asia, with the aim of strengthening communication and understanding between China, the region and the world. In the eventful years since 2015, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have emerged as frequent headline topics.

China Daily Group reached a milestone in its nearly 30-year history when it launched the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable series in late 2010, following the China Daily CEO Roundtable that got off the ground in 2004.

These gatherings of some of the continent’s top brains in business, government and academia have gone to great lengths in reaching out to global audiences, expounding views and ideas and enlightening them about the developments and trends in various sectors.

Hong Kong has also been at the center of efforts to foster growth and regional cooperation, and to promote the city as a “super connector” between China and the rest of the world as the nation embarks on major development projects like the Belt and Road Initiative and the mega Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The aim is to turn the region into a world economic powerhouse by 2035 as Asia’s answer to Silicon Valley.

Asia is on the threshold of an epoch of technological advancement. The advent of innovation and technology, the trends ahead and the opportunities on offer are expected to remain at the heart of these dialogues.

These meetings and discussions continue to strive for immense value and interest to those in their respective domains, while facing the challenges and reshaping their strategies in the new era.

2015

A roundtable forum lines up senior officials and business leaders to shed light on the theme “Hong Kong Unleashing the Potential of Belt and Road Initiative” on Oct 29, 2015. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Then-chief executive Leung Chun-ying highlights Hong Kong’s international connection in tapping the potential of the Belt and Road Initiative in his keynote speech at the forum on Oct 29. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Panelists bring their wide-ranging expertise to the table as they discuss Hong Kong’s advantages and challenges in facilitating the Belt and Road Initiative on Oct 29. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Guests pack the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong hotel during the roundtable session on Oct 29. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

2016

China Daily’s roundtable forum on Dec 7, 2016 focuses on Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” in the Belt and Road Initiative. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

From left: Alice Kwok Yim-ming, vice-chairperson of the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong; Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific; Elsie Leung Oi-sie, former Hong Kong secretary for justice; and Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, president of Qianhai Institute for Innovative Research, pose for a group photo on Dec 7. EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Guests gather for a picture at the venue for the “Hong Kong Super-Connecting the Belt and Road” forum on Dec 7. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific, delivers the opening remarks at the forum on Dec 7. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

2017

Distinguished guests toast the 20th anniversary of the China Daily Hong Kong Edition at a roundtable forum on Oct 9, 2017 that, from the perspective of the Belt and Road Initiative, examines the profound changes brought about by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivers a keynote address to the forum on Oct 9. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivers a keynote address to the forum on Oct 9. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

From left: Xie Feng, foreign ministry commissioner in Hong Kong; Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Group; and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor are among the dignitaries at the event on Oct 9. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Panelists call at the Oct 9 forum for the free flow of talent, goods, services and capital within the Bay Area to pool the strengths of the 11 member cities. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

2018

Top minds in inno-tech share their insights at a roundtable panel discussion themed “Exploring Innovation and Technology Intra-Regional Cooperation in the Greater Bay Area” on Oct 29, 2018. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung speaks about the government’s vision to develop the Bay Area into the “Silicon Valley of China” at the Belt and Road Conference on Oct 29. roy (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

Members of the audience hear a panel discussion about the Bay Area’s growth in times of global uncertainties on Oct 29. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Members of the audience hear a panel discussion about the Bay Area’s growth in times of global uncertainties on Oct 29. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The panelists pose for a group photo at the Oct 29 session. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

2019

A roundtable forum brings together cross-sector experts and industry players to explore ways for the Bay Area to achieve inclusive growth on Oct 10, 2019. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, delivers a keynote speech at the forum on Oct 10. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Annie Wu Suk-ching (center), honorary chairman of Beijing Air Catering, poses for a selfie with members of the audience on the sidelines of the forum on Oct 10. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A panel discussion dives into smart healthcare during the Oct 10 roundtable event. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)