Ever since China made its commit-ment to achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, its thriving green econ-omy, characterized by the prevalence of carbon credit transactions and the emergence of new renewable energy technologies, has no doubt provided a model to emulate for Southeast Asian developing economies also in pursuit of sustainable development. On the other hand, the vast areas of tropical rain-forests in the region, as an important carbon sink in the fight against climate change, have made an ideal resource for carbon credit trad-ing. From this perspective, Hainan, China's southernmost island province known for its proximity to Southeast Asia, is the ide-ally positioned bet for pioneering the green economy collaboration between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).