Blue economy is the next key phase of China-ASEAN economic integration

"Hainan can become the platform for ASEAN marine products to process, marine industry R&D, finance and logistics," he said. "Together we can build a regional value chain."

Zhang Jianping, senior research fellow and vice-chairman of the Academic Committee, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, said Hainan and Guangxi both occupy hub positions on the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and expressed hope that the Pinglu Canal's opening will secure infrastructure, transport and logistics links between the Hainan FTP and ASEAN, deepening the flow of goods, people and services.

Chi Fulin, president of the Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies, noted that Hainan's 15th Five-Year Plan targets a doubling of its marine economy by 2035 — a goal he said matters less for its scale than for elevating Hainan's strategic role in China's opening-up. He called on the island province to serve as a bridge connecting Chinese and ASEAN enterprises, helping ASEAN firms bring products and services into the broader Chinese mainland market.

The forum comes as China and ASEAN mark five years of comprehensive strategic partnership. Priority areas identified by participants include cruise and coastal tourism with joint international routes and visa facilitation, deep processing of fisheries products, and marine energy and green transition.