The 2021 China (Hainan)-ASEAN Think Tank Forum, entitled "Blue Economy: Opening a New Future for China-ASEAN Cooperation", was held in Haikou on Dec 22, with more than 100 experts and scholars from five countries and regions participating both onsite and online.
During the one-day forum, attendees discussed topics such as new opportunities for China and ASEAN to deepen cooperation with the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port under the framework of RCEP as well as prospects and outlook for the construction of China-ASEAN blue economy partnership.
Rapahel Lotilla, chairman of the Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation and former minister of the Department of Energy of the Philippines, suggested that countries along the coast of the South China Sea should use blue carbon sinks to jointly respond to the impact of global climate change on the region. He also expressed hope that China will help Southeast Asian countries develop clean energy industries such as offshore wind power, wave energy, and tidal energy.
Hu Yishan, a researcher of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said that China and ASEAN should increase the process of blue economic cooperation in traditional fields such as education and tourism.
As the RCEP is coming into effect soon, China and ASEAN will usher in new opportunities for economic and trade cooperation. Hainan FTP will play a greater role in the construction of China-ASEAN relations, and Hainan and ASEAN countries have much potential for cooperation in tourism, finance, medical care, and educational services, according to attendees of the forum.
Overview
Haikou 
Sanya 
