Hainan: A Showcase for China's Open-Door Policy
Haikou, China — On 18 December 2025, Hainan Province, the island located at the southern tip of mainland China, officially implemented a special customs system. This step represents a significant milestone in China’s efforts to expand its high-standard open-door policy, with the entire island designated as the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).
Recent developments following the implementation of this policy are being highlighted by Hinews.cn and the Hainan International Media Center through an online international communication programme titled ‘An Open Future—Hainan’s Answers to Global Questions’. The programme reviews various policies and stories of individuals from different countries who have directly benefited from Hainan’s transformation.
In the episode ‘Decoding the Hainan FTP: Special Customs Operations’, viewers can learn about the key policies that distinguish the Hainan model from other regions. The public can observe the tax savings achieved by companies, the speed of customs processes for international trade, and the ease of cross-border transactions through the QDLP programme and the EF account system. From activities at the Yangpu Container Terminal to the multilingual government hotline 12045, this episode explores the various elements supporting Hainan’s special customs system.
In the episode ‘Decoding the Hainan FTP: Chasing Dreams’, viewers can follow the journeys of ten young international entrepreneurs who have successfully built careers in Hainan thanks to various local government policies. Examples include Albina, a vlogger and international tourism ambassador for Hainan, as well as Imani and Gloria, who market Hainan products to global markets via live streaming. Additionally, Musa has successfully secured two international patents and project funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
The episode ‘Decoding the Hainan FTP: Building Businesses’ demonstrates the tax incentive policies that provide tangible benefits to businesses. For instance, Jia Green Chocolate Works has been able to save approximately 10% in operational costs due to value-added processing policies that waive import duties. Furthermore, the Malaysian footwear brand, Fipper, opened its first outlet in Hainan after participating in the China International Consumer Products Expo, noting import cost savings of around 10-15% compared to other free trade zones.
The surge in interest from global investors and talent towards Hainan serves as a clear reflection of breakthroughs that are truly beneficial for China and its stakeholders.