On August 1, 2025, the Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) ASEAN Liaison Center was inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur, and on the same day, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Nanyang Siang Pau—Malaysia's 102-year-old leading Chinese-language financial publication—to embark on in‑depth cooperation in financial think tanks, content co‑creation, and channel sharing.

Over the past year, the partnership has moved from paper to practice—Nanyang Siang Pau Editor‑in‑Chief Evie Loh led a reporting team across the sea to visit Hainan FTP parks, ports, and enterprises, focusing on more than ten industries including the digital economy, cross‑border trade, and medical and health care, capturing the pulse of the open frontier. At the moment special customs operations began, the newspaper devoted three full pages to panoramic coverage of the Hainan FTP. On the 100th day of special customs operations, the two sides jointly released the Survey on ASEAN Enterprises' Willingness to Invest in Hainan Against the Backdrop of Special Customs Operations, covering 106 enterprises across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos, with over 70% recognizing Hainan's value as a "transit or re‑export platform" for entering the Chinese mainland market. Six months after the start of special customs operations, the "Nanyang Interviews" financial video series was launched, providing practical insights for ASEAN investors.

From Kuala Lumpur to Haikou, trust has accumulated through each collaboration. The first anniversary is both a milestone and a new starting point. Friendship Across Mountains and Seas, To Be Continued.