In recent years, Hainan has strengthened international cooperation, steadily expanding its sphere of influence. Currently, 37 free trade pilot zones and ports have signed partnership agreements with the province.

From Dec. 16-19, the Forum on Free Trade Zones Development 2024 was held in Sanya, welcoming officials from the World Federation of Free Trade Zones and free trade zones around the world as well as representatives of related international organizations, scholars, and corporate representatives to hold discussions on the theme of creating an open cooperation system and achieving mutually beneficial and win-win development. At the event, the topic of how to strengthen cooperation between the Hainan Free Trade Port and other free trade zones around the world attracted wide attention.

“Switzerland has signed a large number of free trade agreements, becoming a gateway for many companies to enter Europe. The Hainan Free Trade Port could also serve as a bridgehead for international companies entering China. Hainan’s open and convenient policy environment will attract more international talent to engage in innovative research and development here.” Dr. Claude Béglé, founder of Swiss NeWater Group, expressed optimism about the development prospects of the Hainan Free Trade Port during the event.

Li Shijie, Professor of Talents at Nankai University and Dean of the Hainan Free Trade Port Talent Development Research Institute, said that the Hainan Free Trade Port is situated  at a key hub in the joint development of the Belt and Road, and should strengthen ties with Belt and Road countries and regions, making good use of policies such as multi-functional free trade accounts, visa-free entry, and one-way recognition of overseas professional qualifications, fostering in-depth cooperation in areas such as international bulk commodity trade, cross-border e-commerce, and offshore trade.

At the Forum, representatives from all sides called for strengthening cooperation between free trade zones in different countries to further promote the open development of the global trade and economics.

“Inter-FTZ cooperation has promoted the development of African countries, including infrastructure construction and improvements in the living environment.” Ms. Lebogang Zulu, Chairperson of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance and Vice President of the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, said she hopes different free trade zones can create diverse partnerships to promote the development of logistics and trade in Africa.

 Dr. Alireza Yavari, Vice President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that there is great potential for interaction between free trade zones and ports. Each free trade zone has its own unique characteristics and can learn from and collaborate with others to promote the formation of regional and global free trade zone networks, strengthen the connectivity of global free trade zones, and further promote global economic prosperity and development.

This report is based on a Chinese news source from China News Network.