On 24th November 2025, the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) and the China Institute of Marine Affairs (CIMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 2nd Bilateral Dialogue Between China and Malaysia on the Management of Maritime Issues in the South China Sea. The Bilateral Dialogue was held in Beijing, China, and was co-chaired by H.E. Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and YM Raja Dato’ Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin, Director-General of the National Security Council, Malaysia.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a significant step in strengthening research cooperation between the two maritime think tanks. Notably, Malaysia becomes the first country in Southeast Asia to formalise such a collaboration with CIMA, under the Ministry of Natural Resources, China
MIMA serves as Malaysia’s focal point on maritime affairs and a strategic think tank under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia. As such, MIMA is well positioned to support cooperation in areas such as the Blue Economy , Ocean Governance, Law, and Resource Security.
