On March 26, 2026, in Boao, Hainan, Professor Chi Fulin, President of China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD) and President of Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies (HIFTPS), and Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Executive Chairman of Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, jointly signed a memorandum of understanding.

Prof. Chi Fulin and Executive Chairman Faiz exchanged views on topics including RCEP, regional economic integration, China–Malaysia economic and trade cooperation, and the Hainan Free Trade Port. Both sides agreed to support the advancement of bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Malaysia, and to carry out joint research and discussions on regional economy, blue economy development, and economic and trade cooperation between the Hainan Free Trade Port and Malaysia. They will also deepen academic exchanges and personnel exchanges.

Attending the signing ceremony were Atikah Ishak, Senior Manager of Event Management, and Rachel Priya, Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Partnerships, from ISIS Malaysia; Yang Rui, Executive President of CIRD; Chen Wei and Kuang Xianming, Vice Presidents of CIRD; Guo Da, Executive President of HIFTPS; Ong Chong Yi, Senior Research Fellow of HIFTPS and Representative to ASEAN; Liang Hui, Secretary General of CIRD-GRANDALL Center of FTP Law Studies; and Lin Fen, Project Officer for International Cooperation, CIRD.