At the 4th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) or Hainan Expo on April 14th, Hiroaki Morikawa, chief of the Domestic Product Development Department at Japan’s Mitsubishi Foods warmly greeted every guest who came to try their products. This was Morikawa's first time participating in the Expo and his first visit to Hainan. Thanks to Hainan's visa-free policy for citizens of 59 countries, his trip to Hainan went smoothly. He said, "Hainan's visa-free policy not only saved me time and money on visa processing, but also allowed me to easily attend the Hainan Expo with my colleagues, thus enhancing our work efficiency."

This year's Expo attracted many international exhibitors like Morikawa, who were able to visit Hainan without the need for a visa, unlike previous years. This is due to the recently implemented "Expansion of the 59 Country Visa-free Entry Policy for Hainan", which added more purposes of travel.

Hainan has always enjoyed the most convenient and frequently updated visa-free policy in China.

The number of countries covered by the visa-free policy increased from the initial 21 to 26, and then to the current 59. The duration of stay for visa-free entry to Hainan was extended from the initial 15 to the 30 days now allowed. At first, only groups could enter visa free, but now individuals may also do so, and purposes of travel for visa-free entry were recently expanded from only tourism to include commercial activities & trade, visits & exchanges, family reunions, medical treatment, attending exhibitions, and taking part in sporting events.

The success of the Hainan Expo is closely related to the continuous deepening of Hainan's level of openness.

Liu Rutao, the deputy director of the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, said that before the policy was implemented, many overseas exhibitors and buyers wanted to participate in the Expo, but could not attend in person, having to send their domestic counterparts in their stead. With this policy in place, they can now come to Hainan in person, further enhancing the internationalization of the Hainan Expo.

On April 14th, exhibitors and buyers from China and abroad engaged in business discussions at the 4th Hainan Expo. (Photo: Zhang Mao)

As a frequent traveler between China and Malaysia, Lee Zhi Ying, CEO of Rich, a Malaysian swallow nest brand, remarked, "With our agents in Hainan, it serves as a vital gateway for us to penetrate the Chinese market. The implementation of the Hainan 59 country visa-free policy has made it much more convenient for us to participate in exhibitions and meet with clients there."

Since their debut at the Expo last year, South Korea brand "Nature's Love" has gradually gained traction and recognition in the Chinese market. Over the past year, Kim soyeon, brand manager of “Nature’s Love”, has been coming to Hainan more often. She remarked, "The expanded visa-free entry policy is a fantastic initiative. As a small to medium-sized South Korean company, participating in the Expo has provided us with numerous opportunities for growth and development in China and Hainan."

James Kiernan from Grace O Malley Spirits shares Kim soyeon's sentiments. He believes that the visa-free policy is widening China's open door, and entrepreneurs should seize the opportunity to enhance dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese market for mutual benefit.

On April 13th, at the 4th Hainan Expo, attendees engage in discussions at the Irish Pavilion. (Photo: Yuan Chen)

Due to tight scheduling, Hiroaki Morikawa was only able to stay in Hainan for the Expo for two days. Despite the brief duration of his stay, the tropical Chinese island left a profound impression on him.

"From the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt the fresh air of Hainan. The scenery here is breathtaking, making it not only a great place for business endeavors but also for relaxation and vacations," Hiroaki Morikawa remarked. With the visa-free policy making travel to Hainan more convenient, he plans to bring his family along on his next visit.