BOAO, Hainan, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Participants at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 have highlighted the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) as a key platform for China's high-standard opening up, underscoring its growing role amid rising global uncertainty and shifting trade patterns.
The annual conference, running from March 24 to 27 in south China's Hainan Province under the theme "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation," has drawn around 2,000 participants from governments, international organizations and the business community.
According to Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Hainan FTP is an emerging free trade port with abundant opportunities for trade in goods and services.
"This is an attractive place for the regional countries, especially ASEAN countries and countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," Khan said.
"China is the leader in technology," said Jack Perry, chairman of The 48 Group in Britain and executive chairman of LEC Robotics. He noted that this will drive both exports of advanced machinery and demand for resources, making efficient trade structures more essential.
He stressed that free trade zones are key to supporting such developments. "I believe Hainan is going to be a leader in this area," he said.
The Hainan FTP, the world's largest free trade port by area, kicked off island-wide special customs operations about three months ago.
Following the launch of island-wide special customs operations, the Hainan FTP now has eight open ports and 10 second-line customs ports, making the tropical island, covering more than 30,000 square kilometers, officially a special customs supervision zone.
Under this policy framework, the number of tariff lines eligible for zero tariffs in the FTP has reached around 6,600, or 74 percent of total tariff items. Zero-tariff goods processed in Hainan are sold to the mainland duty-free if their local processing generated an added value of 30 percent or more.
Perry said he is optimistic about the island's prospects and highlighted its advantages for international cooperation. He also pointed to specific policies that support business growth, including those facilitating value-added production and supply chain integration.
"When you're starting joint ventures and businesses, especially in robotics, you're looking for growth," he said. "Hainan is supporting companies to build supply chain structures together."
Holger Bingmann, vice chairman of the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce, said his visit to Hainan has provided fresh insights into China's commitment to high-level opening up.
Having visited the island before, Bingmann noted that Hainan is entering "a new stage" of development following the launch of island-wide special customs operations.
"I'm absolutely convinced that it will play a vital role," Bingmann said, adding that Hainan combines efficient logistics, favorable trade conditions and a welcoming business environment.
"It is amazing how functional everything is here," he said, stressing that openness to dialogue and the friendliness of local people enhance its attractiveness to international businesses.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening global awareness of Hainan's opportunities.
"The key is to communicate what Hainan offers, in logistics, in trade possibilities, and in real opportunities," he noted, calling for deeper engagement between Chinese and international companies.
