On June 26, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port released a new group of Institutional Integration Innovation Cases, focusing on seven institutional integration innovation achievements demonstrating Hainan's continued breakthroughs in deepening reform and expanding opening up to the outside world. To date, the Hainan FTP has released 166 Institutional Integration Innovation Cases across 20 batches, offering a “Hainan Model” for global talent mobility, medical resource sharing, and the optimization of the business environment.

This release highlights two particularly noteworthy institutional integration innovation cases in education and pharmaceutical and medical device regulation. The “Five Mutuals and Joint Governance” talent development model and the “zero-tariff” regulatory service system for pharmaceuticals and medical devices exemplify Hainan’s ongoing commitment to advancing institutional reform in key public service sectors, while injecting fresh momentum into international cooperation.

Innovation in Education: The “Five Mutuals and Joint Governance” Talent Development Model

The Lingshui Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone has pioneered China’s first institutional innovation—the "Five Mutuals and Joint Governance" Talent Development Model. The "Five Mutuals" comprise mutual learning between China and foreign counterparts, interdisciplinary integration, arts and sciences synergy, cross-institutional course selection, and mutual credit recognition, while "Joint Governance" denotes collaborative administration. This model eliminates disciplinary barriers, facilitates cross-institutional resource sharing, and establishes an open, integrated talent development framework.

Institutional innovation is manifested not only in the talent cultivation system but also extends to governance structures and operational models. Through local legislation, a ‘legal institution + platform company’ governance framework has been established, driving the pilot zone’s transition toward corporate-style management and professional operation. The ‘1+3+N’ course system (which includes basic course cluster, three applied course clusters, and specialized disciplines) aligns with the key industries of the Hainan FTP and China’s national strategic needs, providing high-quality educational services.

Aerial view of the Lingshui Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone. (Photo: Official WeChat account of Lingshui Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, Hainan.)

The pilot zone has also innovated the operational mechanism of the “Shared Small College,” enabling mutual course selection, coordinated resource allocation, and collaborative administration. Currently, 207 shared courses have been offered, with over 3,700 cross-school enrollments. The zone has attracted 26 Chinese and international universities and established nine Sino-foreign cooperative education programs. The student population continues to grow, and the pilot zone is gradually becoming an important institutional pilot platform for China’s education openness and a demonstration zone for international cooperation.

Innovation in Medical Regulation: "Zero Tariff" Regulatory Services for Imported Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices

Aerial view of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone.

The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has taken the lead in establishing a comprehensive supervision service system for ‘Zero Tariff’ imports of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, focusing on improving policy implementation efficiency, regulatory transparency, and service quality.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the ‘Zero Tariff’ policy  Pharmaceutical and medical devices imported to the Hainan FTP, Lecheng explored innovativepharmaceutical regulatory service models and developed a blockchain-based certification and traceability system. This system achieves closed-loop management within the pilot zone, covering policy access, customs declaration, and clinical use, while seamlessly integrating with China's Single Window . It also establishes a multi-department collaborative mechanism and creates a smart, efficient supervision platform for the pilot zone.

Since the implementation of the policy, fourteen institutions have been approved to enjoy relevant benefits, resulting in cumulative tax reductions of around 15 million yuan. The first batch of ‘Zero Tariff’ cochlear implants has successfully cleared customs and been put into clinical use. This institutional integration innovation case not only reduces costs for advanced medical products entering the Chinese market, but also provides a more efficient and transparent access mechanism for international medical companies, bringing better-quality, more convenient treatment options to patients from China and around the world.

Driving Development through Innovation, Leading the Future with Openness

In 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port will enter a new phase of special customs operations and further expand opening up. The press conference on institutional integration innovation cases showcased the Hainan FTP’s comprehensive exploration of institutional opening-up and laid a solid foundation for expanding international cooperation across more sectors in the future.