"Hainan is like the heart in the human body, it can connect to all," said Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute in Cambodia, at the 2026 RCEP Media & Think Tank Forum on May 8. He said that Cambodia has benefited from financial integration. RCEP promotes seamless integration of the financial sector and cross-border payments. Chheng also stated that free trade ports can absorb some of the external shocks.