HONG KONG — Hainan officials met with their Hong Kong counterparts on Sept. 9 to discuss cooperation as the Hainan Free Trade Port prepares for island-wide independent customs operation.
The “Hainan-Hong Kong Cooperation for a Win-win Future” event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, timed to coincide with the 100-day countdown to the new customs operation.
Hainan Province, in coordination with the People’s Government of Hainan Province, hosted the event to deepen ties and inform Hong Kong citizens about the benefits and policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Feng Fei, secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, said the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port are both major national strategies. He noted that their synergy will help build a new development model and facilitate international and domestic circulation. The Hainan Free Trade Port will begin its independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025.
“It would be great if Hainan and Hong Kong would strengthen all-around cooperation,” he said.
Feng said that by combining Hainan’s strengths in location, space and resources with Hong Kong’s competitiveness in development, openness and globalization, the region would reap benefits.
Algernon Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Hong Kong will do its best to bring international projects to Hainan, help Hainan investors go overseas and create more mutually beneficial opportunities.
“Both sides can contribute to the high-quality development of the country and boost economic momentum,” Yau said.
During the event, stakeholders from both regions signed 12 agreements across various sectors, including tourism, technology and food processing. The conference drew more than 400 attendees, including government officials and community leaders from both Hong Kong and Hainan.
The Department of Finance of Hainan Province announced that on Sept. 11, it would issue offshore yuan local government bonds in Hong Kong totaling up to 5 billion yuan. The funds are earmarked for key scientific research and infrastructure projects related to marine conservation, public welfare and aerospace.
