On September 17, 2025, the "Hainan Think Tank Forum: China (Hainan)–ASEAN 2025 Think Tank Forum" was successfully held in Haikou, Hainan. The event was jointly organized by the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), the Hainan Federation of Social Science Associations, and the Hainan Academy of Social Sciences (HFSSA & HASS).

The forum was held with the theme "Building a 'Blue Partnership' between China and ASEAN: For Shared Development and Prosperity." The opening ceremony was chaired by Xi Jinsong, Vice President of NISCSS. Zeng Xiaoming, Party Secretary of NISCSS, and Xia Xu, President of HFSSA & HASS, delivered opening remarks.

Wu Shicun, Chairman of the Huayang Center and Chairman of the Academic Committee of the NISCSS, delivered the keynote speech. He reviewed and analyzed the achievements of China–ASEAN cooperation in recent years, stating that the relationship has entered a new phase of economic and trade engagement. He noted that industrial cooperation models are undergoing transformation, institutional cooperation is deepening, and joint efforts are being made to implement global governance initiatives, promote practical cooperation in the South China Sea, and advance the building of a maritime community with a shared future. Wu proposed that China–ASEAN cooperation should be developed into "three models": A model of multilateral cooperation; A model of cooperation under global governance initiatives; A model for building a maritime community with a shared future.

The one-day forum brought together over 600 participants from seven countries—China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—including experts and scholars, government representatives, and members of international organizations. The event was held in a hybrid format, combining both online and offline participation. Representatives from institutions such as the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative, the Rare Conservation Philippines Office, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other universities, think tanks, and international organizations engaged in in-depth discussions around three core themes: China (Hainan)-ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation and Industrial Cooperation, China (Hainan)-ASEAN Marine Conservation and Fisheries Cooperation, and Maritime Infrastructure Development and Passage Security in the South China Sea. The forum provided diverse perspectives and pathways for cooperation, contributing to the building of a regional Blue Partnership, and advancing peace, stability, and sustainable development in the South China Sea.

Mu Jiahao, Assistant Research Fellow at the Huayang Center, delivered a speech at the forum on the challenges and issues facing the undersea infrastructure in the South China Sea.

The China (Hainan)–ASEAN Think Tank Forum was established in 2017. It aims to promote in-depth dialogue and exchange among domestic and international stakeholders on issues such as the development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the deepening of the blue economy partnership between China and ASEAN. The forum also seeks to support Hainan's full integration into the Belt and Road Initiative, provide intellectual input for the development of the Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics in Hainan, and encourage experts in the social sciences at home and abroad to offer policy recommendations for enhancing cooperation and exchange between Hainan and ASEAN.