Boao Forum this year centered on the theme of a shared future and new models of cooperation. I am a big fan of new models of cooperation.

The two panels on which I spoke: First, regarding RCEP I argued why it is the leadership of smaller states (not middle powers) that makes partnership work with China. Second, on Asia's contribution to the world, I argued that economic growth in Asia needs to be understood as a race against time - one to catch up with those parts of the world already rich; and two to get someplace secure before low fertility becomes obviously a trap as paralysing as Malthus. In these circumstances, however, Asia's best-response emphasis on scale and speed has driven both Asia's economic success and current geopolitical challenge.

Also, everyone I know who travelled to Hainan got presented these: eyeglass lens defogging wipers; body-warmer patches; mugwort neck patches; neck hot compresses; and auto-steaming eye masks. Is this the new gentler, kinder, self-care China? Whatever happened to the traditional Chinese gift offerings of smartphones, tablets, and powerbanks?