ASEAN lawmakers wrap up Hainan visit after site inspections

(China Daily/BRNN) -- Lawmakers from nine Southeast Asian nations wrapped up a weeklong China visit in Hainan province, capping three days of site inspections across the island province that took them from free-trade port industries to rural communities and a near-zero carbon demonstration zone.
The Third ASEAN Parliamentarians Seminar brought together representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,

The Third ASEAN Parliamentarians Seminar holds a summary meeting in Haikou, Hainan province.

Singapore, Thailand, and East Timor, along with officials from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly secretariat. The delegation visited the provincial capital of Haikou, the coastal city of Wenchang, and Qionghai, examining fishery innovation, historic cultural sites, and grassroots governance models, all against the backdrop of deepening legislative and people-to-people ties between Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
At the core of the discussions were shared legislative challenges, environmental protection, agricultural modernization, digital economy growth, and the Belt and Road Initiative. The seminar came as China and ASEAN marked the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership, a relationship that has increasingly placed Hainan at the centre of regional trade and investment flows.
“This is an educational trip that is full of Hainan from a parliamentary perspective,” said
Malaysian Senator Jufitri bin Joha found the trip to be highly educational, as it covered agriculture, technology, aerospace, and tourism. “I believe Hainan can be a good example not only for the benefit of local residents but also to prosper its neighbors, especially ASEAN countries,” he said.
For Singapore Member of Parliament Gerald Giam Yean Song, the potential was equally clear. “There are definitely opportunities for Singapore companies to invest here and to learn from China as well,” he said. “That’s good potential for us to develop even more in the future.”
Filipino Congressman Paolo Marcoleta, visiting Hainan for the first time, said he was struck by the province’s modern infrastructure despite climate similarities with his home country. “It’s very vital — especially as parliamentarians and legislators — that we have this kind of event to interact, exchange information, and promote dialogue for a peaceful atmosphere across the Asian region,” he said.
Laos MP advisor Lamphong Volady praised Hainan’s green landscapes, fresh air, and clean water, pointing to aquaculture technology as an area where Chinese expertise could benefit his landlocked nation. “For Laos, we also have momentum in agriculture, and we can share good practices and lessons,” he said. “We should encourage more exchanges between Chinese and Lao students and researchers to learn from one another.”

(Latest Update August 31, 2026)