The Boao Forum for Asia has become a truly global event that can grow in importance as China's influence increases, according to the CEO of a communications consulting company that has been helping to run the event since its inception in 2001.

Wu Hong, chief executive officer and partner of the Beijing-based New Alliance, was speaking ahead of this year's event in Boao, Hainan province, from Saturday to Monday.

"We've witnessed it grow into a truly global event," said Wu. "We've been here in each of the past 12 years."