Diplomats Highlight Hainan’s Potential for Int’l Cooperation
China’s tropical gem, Hainan, has long enchanted visitors with its pristine beaches and vibrant cultural tapestry. However, a recent delegation of senior diplomats has brought to light a new facet of Hainan’s allure: its burgeoning role as a nexus for international cooperation across a spectrum of industries. The diplomats’ exploration of Hainan, culminating in a fruitful five-day tour, showcased the province’s ambitious strides towards becoming a free trade port of global significance.
This delegation, bringing together 25 ambassadors, consul generals, and diplomats from 15 diverse countries spanning Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe, embarked on an insightful journey from April 22 to 26. Their tour traversed five cities, putting a spotlight on Hainan’s key industrial domains which included Wenchang International Aerospace City and the pioneering Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, among others.
Hainan’s transformation into a magnet for international tourism and duty-free shopping is just the tip of the iceberg. The province is actively nurturing four pillar industries: tourism, high-tech, modern services, and tropical high-efficiency agriculture. These efforts are aligned with China’s ambitious vision outlined in 2020 through a master plan aiming to elevate Hainan Island into a globally influential and advanced free trade port by mid-century. To this end, a series of favorable policies have been enacted to support Hainan’s development. Key among these are zero-tariff policies and initiatives designed to streamline market and foreign investment access.
One intriguing perspective was offered by Gomun Kouya Bertin, counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in China. He expressed keen interest in the zero-tariff policy’s potential to benefit African countries like Côte d’Ivoire, particularly for commodities such as cashew nuts and cocoa. These goods could undergo value-added processing in Hainan, thereby facilitating their entry into the expansive Chinese market. “So far, we’ve mainly exported cashew nuts to China, and in the future, we expect more products to enter China’s market,” he remarked.
The strategic position of Hainan, serving as an international hub connecting two dynamic markets – China and Southeast Asia – was highlighted by Chhum Bunthan, Cambodian Consul General in Haikou. He envisioned deeper collaboration between Hainan and Cambodia in areas including trade, education, and tourism, leveraging this strategic advantage.
Adding to the dialogue, Finnish Ambassador to China, Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, acknowledged the emerging cooperation opportunities within China’s first special medical zone in Lecheng. This interest is backed by a previous visit from a Finnish med-tech business delegation in 2020. She lauded Hainan not just for its natural beauty and the sea but also for its flourishing business environment. “Hainan is known for its beautiful nature, and the wonderful sea, but more and more also because of its blooming business environment,” she noted.
As Hainan continues to expand its horizon beyond tourism to become a hotbed for international cooperation in technology, services, and agriculture, the diplomatic visits underscore the island’s strategic importance on the global stage. The island’s evolving landscape, enriched by favorable policies and international interest, positions it as a promising arena for global trade and collaboration, setting the stage for a future where Hainan is not only a tourist paradise but also a cornerstone of international commerce and innovation.
