GROWING educational and people-to-people exchanges between China and Malaysia have opened up fresh avenues for scholars in the two countries to conduct collaborative research. They also present new opportunities to young professionals not only steeped in Chinese culture but also savvy about Southeast Asia.

Han Lei, a professor at the China-Asean College of Marine Sciences of Xiamen University Malaysia, has gained first-hand experience of closer ties between the two countries. The college, established in 2016, was a foray by China to expand its marine education abroad to nurture marine talent for China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"The foundation for marine research collaboration between China and Malaysia has always been strong," said Han who had been involved in many joint research projects and seminars before the college's inception.

Xiamen University Malaysia, where Han teaches, is the first overseas campus established by a Chinese mainland tertiary education institution that is included in the Double First-Class Initiative — a government programme with selected universities to enhance the country's higher education.

The university now has more than 9,000 students from 48 countries and regions, including nearly 5,000 Malaysian students and about 2,500 from China. Indonesia is the next largest source of students, contributing more than 600.

University President Wang Ruifang said this reflects one of the institution's visions of "forging the broadest friendships for building a community with a shared future for mankind".