The 18th Congress of World Federation of Hainanese Associations will be held from November 14 to 16 at the Penang International Convention Centre in Malaysia. So far, more than 2,000 of Hainanese descent from around the globe have registered to attend.

The inaugural World Federation of Hainanese Associations Congress was initiated and organized by the Singapore Hainan Hwee Kuan (Hainan Association of Singapore) in 1989. Over the past 36 years, 17 sessions have been held, making it a vital platform for the global Hainanese diaspora to foster kinship, discuss development, and explore cooperation.

The host city of this year's congress, Penang, has ties with Hainan dating back to the 19th century, when the first immigrants from the island settled there. They went on to make significant contributions to local economic development, education, and multiculturalism. Today, the Hainanese community continues to play a vital role in various sectors in Penang. At a press conference detailing the upcoming event, Wong Hon Wai, the Executive Councillor for Tourism and the Creative Economy of Penang State, stated that the HNWF Congress is not only an international cultural event for the Chinese community but also a symbol of cultural roots and emotional connections.

The Press Conference of the 18th Congress of World Federation of Hainanese Associations in Penang.

"Malaysia's Penang State and China's Hainan Province signed an agreement back in 2013 to establish sister province relations. Later, in 2017, Penang's capital, George Town, and Hainan's Sanya City signed a memorandum of understanding establishing sister-city relations and jointly promoting exchanges and development in culture, creative industries, people-to-people visits, tourism, and other fields."

The chairman of the Congress, Datuk George Yong Ket How, who currently serves as the President of the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, introduced the event, stating that it aims to unite Hainanese worldwide in both sentiment and strength and foster cooperation to drive future development. "Through this congress, we hope to achieve three major goals: deepening the connections among Hainanese associations globally and sustaining friendships; promoting economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Hainan and ASEAN; and allowing the world to better understand the contributions and development of Malaysian Chinese, especially those of Hainanese descent."

Datuk George also stated that the event will incorporate abundant local cultural elements, showcasing Malaysia's multicultural charm and hospitality in every aspect, from welcome banquets to opening ceremonies and gala dinners.

A large-scale exhibition will be held during the three-day event, offering participants and the public the opportunity to discover high-quality products, innovative technologies, and cultural and creative achievements from Hainan and the local area.

A street in Penang. (Source: HiNews)

About Penang

Penang, more formally known as Penang State, is one of the 13 federal states of Malaysia, situated on the northwest side of the Malay Peninsula. It has the largest ethnic Chinese population among all states in Malaysia. In 2013, Hainan and Penang officially established a sister-province relationship.

Penang holds a significant position in the global electronics industry, particularly excelling in microelectronics assembly, packaging, and testing, earning it the title of the "Silicon Valley of the East." The state is also an important conference and exhibition center in Asia.