For Dato's Ricky Tan, a third-generation Malaysian Hainanese, “coming home" used to mean ancestral rites and family reunions. Today, it also means signing deals, hosting forums, and opening a law firm in Haikou, the capital of China’s Hainan Province.

As Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 18th World Congress of the World Federation of Hainanese Associations (HNWF2025), opening today in Penang, Ricky Tan embodies a decisive shift among overseas Hainanese: from nostalgia and cultural memory to collaboration and economic engagement.

Organized over nearly two years by a team of more than 250 volunteers and staff, the convention has drawn an estimated 3,000 participants from 23 countries and regions—ranging from diaspora elders to a new generation of Hainanese entrepreneurs, women leaders, and ASEAN investors.

“We're not just celebrating roots,” said Tan. “We're building bridges—between the Hainan Free Trade Port and the world.”

Delegates gather in Penang, Malaysia, for the 18th Congress of the World Federation of Hainanese Associations on November 14. (Photo: Li Hao)

Where culture meets commerce

What sets this year’s convention apart is its deliberate fusion of heritage and opportunity.

The Economic Development Forum tackles timely themes like "New Opportunities in Hainan Free Trade Port: Building a New Bridge with ASEAN" and "Industrial Transformation and New Opportunities in a Global Context," with deep dives into Hainan's upcoming island-wide special customs operations—a milestone set for December 18, 2025—and ASEAN market access under the upgraded China–ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0.

Already, eight Hainan-based companies are preparing to sign memoranda of understanding with Malaysian firms during the Hainan FTP + ASEAN Investment Summit, covering sectors from tourism to legal services.

A landmark moment will be the cooperation agreement between the Hainan International Arbitration Court (HIAC) and the Malaysia Hainan Chamber of Commerce. "Investors care about legal certainty," stated Tan, who runs a Malaysian law firm with a branch in Haikou. "When they see Hainan proactively offering international-caliber dispute resolution, confidence grows."

Performers and delegates dance the Li ethnic bamboo dance together. (Photo: Li Hao)

Reconnecting the next generation

But the convention isn't just about deals—it's about dialogue across generations.

A dedicated Youth Development Forum invites young Hainanese to reimagine what “returning home" means in the 21st century. “I expect young people of Hainanese descent to be aware that returning to Hainan is not just about going back home, but also about exploring new opportunities,” explained Tan. One young Malaysian Hainanese participant put it simply: “For us, it's a startup destination.”

To strengthen cultural bonds, the Native Dialect Promotion Forum features “Learn Hainanese Pronunciation” posters, reviving a fading linguistic heritage through simple and joyful engagement.

Meanwhile, the Women’s Issues Forum, themed “Shining in Our Own Light,” highlights female leadership across the diaspora, from entrepreneurs to community builders.

An exhibition on Sun Yat-sen, Soong Ching-ling, and the Nanyang Volunteer Mechanics and Drivers adds historical depth, reminding attendees that Hainanese have long shaped regional progress.

Malaysian singer and composer Mai Ying, who specializes in performing in the Hainanese dialect, instills a sense of nostalgia and community with her performance at the 18th Congress of the World Federation of Hainanese Associations.

A home away from home

Tan noted that first-time visitors from Hainan to Penang often feel instantly at ease: “You see Chinese shophouses, hear the Hainanese dialect, read signs in Chinese script—it feels like home.” This shared cultural fabric, he argues, creates unique trust for cross-border collaboration.

"We speak the same language, cook the same dishes, and now—thanks to Hainan's opening-up—we can build the same future," he said.

As the convention opens, Tan closes with a warm message in his ancestral tongue: “Jiu jiu bu jian, jiu jiu jian!"(“It’s been a long time since we met, but I long to see you more!”).

It’s more than a greeting. It’s an invitation—to reconnect, reinvest, and reimagine what a global Hainanese community can achieve together.

Held in Penang, Malaysia, from November 14–16, 2025, the convention is a biennial

gathering of Hainanese associations worldwide.