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The Sustainability of Economic and Business Practices Through Legal Cooperation in the Era of the Hainan Free Trade Port and Southeast Asian Nations

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Bilawal Khaskheli

    (School of Law, Hainan University, No. 58 People’s Avenue, Haikou 570228, China)

  • Yongchen Zhao

    (School of Law, Hainan University, No. 58 People’s Avenue, Haikou 570228, China)

Abstract

This research explores the sustainability of economic and business practices through enhanced legal cooperation within the Hainan Free Trade Port and Association of Southeast Asian Nations; context is essential to China’s economic reform, contributing to a strong business environment and sustainable development. The research explores the functions of legal frameworks in facilitating trade, investment, and innovation, with special emphasis on regulation coordination and dispute–resolution mechanisms. The research inspects the legal basis of free trade zones in the major Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It reinforces each other’s systems, regulatory changes, and economic sustainability incentives, thus setting up these zones as a driver for international trade and investment. It underlines a set of challenges and opportunities, and close-up legal cooperation may be imperative for ensuring economic sustainability in the long run, gaining confidence among international investors, and encouraging responsible business conduct in the region as a whole. This study contributes to understanding how legal structures can support economic resilience and sustainable growth in emerging trade environments. This paper consists of five sections, with the first section based on the research study and its themes. The second reviews the literature comprising the historical context, current research, and work of previous scholars concerning the study while identifying research gaps; the third discusses the material and results, including new legislation related to Hainan’s FTP; the fourth discusses and analyzes the entire research work, including findings; and the fifth covers the conclusions, limitations, and future directions of the research.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Bilawal Khaskheli & Yongchen Zhao, 2025. "The Sustainability of Economic and Business Practices Through Legal Cooperation in the Era of the Hainan Free Trade Port and Southeast Asian Nations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-26, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2050-:d:1601173
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas Cottier, 2006. "From Progressive Liberalization to Progressive Regulation in WTO Law," Journal of International Economic Law, Oxford University Press, vol. 9(4), pages 779-821, December.
    2. Yu Wang & Qingfeng Kong, 2024. "The Impact of Free Trade Zones on Corporate Sustainability Performance: An Empirical Examination from the Dual Perspectives of Financial and Environmental Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Lianghu Wang & Zhao Wang & Yatian Ma, 2021. "Environmental Effects of Trade Liberalization–Evidence from China’s Pilot Free Trade Zone," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(03), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Shusong Ba & Peng Shen & Xinning Liang, 2022. "Collaborative Innovation Mechanism of GBA in China," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-981-19-2251-0, July.
    5. Lian-Sheng Tang & Xiang Tan & Peng Guo & Ting-Ting Huang & Tie-Li Liu, 2022. "Comparative Analysis of Locational Factors and Their External Influence on Free-Trade Port Zones in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Lianghu Wang & Zhao Wang & Yatian Ma, 2021. "Environmental Effects of Trade Liberalization–Evidence from China’s Pilot Free Trade Zone," Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies (CJUES), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(03), pages 1-24, October.
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