With independent customs operations, Hainan’s port of free trade is ready for the high -level opening of China

The Chinese Hainan (FTP) free trade port will launch an independent customs operation at the level of the island on December 18, 2025, underlining the largest push of the country for the high -level opening.

In the last episode of China Economic Roundtable, a talk show for all the media hosted by the press agency Xinhua, high officials of the main economic departments of China shared insights on the policy on the Hainan FTP and in its role in making the country’s evolution opening strategy forward.

As the largest special economic area of China, Hainan holds unique advantages in acting from trial ground for reform and opening. In April 2018, China announced its intention to transform the island into an area of free trade pilot, with a long -term vision to develop a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. A general plan released in 2020 aimed to make Hainan a global hub for the high -level opening by the middle of the century.

“The launch of the independent customs operation at the island level will give Hainan a greater latitude to pilot opening measures at a higher level,” said Cai Ping, an official of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

These initiatives will not only guide the high quality development of the island, but will also provide test terrain for a wider national reform and opening, sending a clear message to the world that China’s commitment to high -level opening is unwavering and that its doors will continue to open wider, Cai said.

Zero Tariff incentives

“The move aims to expand the opening and acceleration of development,” said Cai, underlining that Hainan’s opening does not simply concern the lifting of restrictions, but the systematic construction of an institutional framework to guarantee the free and efficient flow of people, goods and capital.

A central pillar of the political framework is the improved zero policy policy. “Companies will enjoy wider incentives,” said Wu Jingfang, an official of the Ministry of Finance.

The percentage of tariff lines with Tarifoni Zero products in theinan FTP will increase from 21 percent to 74 percent, while the number of items without rates in Hainan will increase from about 1,900 to about 6,600.

Imported products that undergo at least 30 % of value -added processing in Hainan can enter the continental rate without rates. In addition, some goods currently prohibited or limited at national level will enjoy open policies in Hainan.

These measures will further reduce company costs, will help to attract companies upstream and to Valle di Hainan and promote the development of industrial chains, according to WU.

With a zero tariff system basically taking place after the independent customs operation, high quality global resources can flow to Hainan with greater freedom and efficiency, said Wu.

The liberalization and facilitation of trade are defining the characteristics of a free trade port. Jiang Zijun of the Ministry of Commerce stressed that a key focus of the FTP commercial policies is the adoption of more favorable sizes to Zero-Bitteriff, together with the most relaxed trade management rules.

Long -term effort for opening

Experts believe that the launch of an unprecedented independent customs operation is a complex company without a ready project.

It is a “complex and systemic project” that requires careful alignment in the political transition, in the management of risks and in the regulatory coordination, said CAI from the ENCRC.

Looking to the future, Hainan Ftp will prioritize the promotion of the free and efficient flow of key production factors, including trade, investments, cross -border capital, personal and logistics, together with the safe and tidy movement of data, according to CAI.

In response to the evolution needs of the Hainan Ftp and the wider thrust of China for opening, the Ministry of Finance will continue to advance the reforms of the tax system, said Wu. The key priorities will include the progress of preferential tax policies and personal income to attract the best talents and the main companies, as well as the expansion of the list of zero tariff products.

With its optimized commercial environment, Hainan emerged as a most important foreign investment destination, ranking among the best Chinese artists.

From 2020 to 2024, Hainan has attracted more foreign investments than he has done in all 32 years since he became a province, while his trade in assets grew up at an average annual rate of over 30 percent.

Between growing protectionism and growing challenges to the global commercial order, the planned launch of the independent customs operation at the level of the island in Hainan-Instead gradually to build a policy and an institutional framework for a free trade port for the highest level of opening-a strong signal of commitment to China for the deepest opening and the advance of economic globalization, according to Da Guo, with the executive director for the Redustness.

The Ministry of Commerce will make greater efforts to support Hainan in line with high -level international and commercial rules, improving institutional opening and promoting new growth drivers through targeted measures, said Jiang.

“With independent customs operations, Hainan Ftp is ready to become a key door for the new Chinese era of opening and innovation,” added Cai. Xinhua