Hainan hosted a non-deal roadshow for overseas investors from August 25 to 26. This marks the first time that the province has specifically invited overseas investors for on-site visits since it issued offshore RMB local government bonds in 2022.

The event aimed to showcase the Hainan Free Trade Port’s (FTP) progress and investment opportunities and to strengthen investors’ confidence as special customs operations are set to take place on December 18. Nearly 20 institutions, including equity funds and investment banks from the Middle East and Hong Kong SAR, took part in the event.

An offshore RMB bond investor exchange meeting was held by the People's Government of Hainan Province at Wenchang International Aerospace City on August 25

Over the two-day program, investors visited Wenchang International Aerospace City, the High-Tech Zone of Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, and other benchmark overseas bond projects from previous years to understand how funds were being used, how far investment projects had progressed, and personally experience the characteristics and achievements of the Hainan FTP in industrial agglomeration, technological innovation, policy advantages, and industry-city integration.

At Wenchang International Aerospace City, investors focused on the rocket, satellite, and data value chains, visiting the assembly and launch area, the Remote Sensing Satellite Application Complex, and the Industry Service Center. As China’s first low-latitude coastal commercial aerospace city, Wenchang is tasked with advancing commercialization of the national space sector, fostering global aerospace technology, and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness. In the past few years, funds raised through offshore bonds have accelerated the construction of the park's road network and other projects. As the park continues to take shape and begin regular commercial launches, major leading aerospace enterprises are vying to establish a presence in Wenchang, giving rise to a nascent commercial aerospace industrial ecosystem.

In the High-Tech Zone of Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, investors visited the industrial promotion center, Deep-sea Science and Technology Innovation Public Platform, and the Global Animal and Plant Germplasm Resource Introduction and Transfer Base. They learnt projects backed by offshore bond proceeds, such as the park’s water-system works and the National Salt-Alkali Tolerant Rice Technology Innovation Cooperation Platform, and witnessed how raised funds are accelerating the development in different priority zones. Planned around two pillar industries, Nanfan seed breeding science and deep-sea technology, the High-tech Zone continues to cultivate robust planting and ocean industry clusters, attracting national-level institutes and spurring enterprises to build a continuable industrial ecosystem, an on-the-ground experiment in nurturing new-quality productive forces.

Overseas investors visiting High-tech Zone of Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City

To further promote the development prospects and investment opportunities of the FTP, the roadshow also included an investor exchange meeting. At the meeting, the Hainan Provincial Department of Finance introduced the province’s recent offshore bond issuances, key features, fund allocation, and future issuance plans. Officials from the Department of Finance, the Provincial Financial Supervisory Authority, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Hainan Branch of the People’s Bank of China, and Wenchang City discussed with investors issues of interest such as financial opening after special customs operations and the development of aerospace and deep-sea industries.

Zhang Xue, Deputy Director-General of the Provincial Department of Finance, said that in recent years, offshore bond funds have been targeted to key areas of FTP development, serving as crucial momentum. This year, Hainan will continue issuing offshore bonds in Hong Kong, sharing the dividends of FTP development with international capital markets and offering more high-quality investment opportunities. With the FTP entering a new stage as the imminent launch of special customs operations approaches, the province’s level of openness will expand further, and the release of policy dividends will be accelerated. She also welcomed investors to learn more about Hainan, invest in Hainan, and share in the opportunities and dividends of FTP development.

Investors participating in the event said that with the launch of special customs operations, they believe there will be more favorable policies to come. The visit left a deep impression and gave them strong confidence in the future development of the FTP.

Foreign investors visiting Wenchang International Aerospace City

“As we witnessed the construction of Wenchang International Aerospace City and the progress of deep-sea science projects firsthand, the sense of ‘seeing is believing’ was so strong. Hainan’s development in high-tech fields such as aerospace and deep-sea exploration is no longer just a blueprint but is steadily advancing, showcasing the world the enormous potential of the FTP. We are very optimistic about Hainan’s future development,” said Tao Sheng, Assistant General Manager of the Global Markets Department at the Bank of Communications Hong Kong Branch.

“This visit to Hainan was such a rare opportunity to us. We saw the remarkable achievements of the FTP in aerospace and cultural tourism. Now, we’re all looking forward to seeing more foreign investment projects being realized through cooperation between Hainan and Middle Eastern investment institutions after special customs operations,” said Zheng Liyuan, CEO of Enwei Capital (Middle East) China.

This year, Hainan will continue issuing offshore RMB local government bonds in Hong Kong. By inviting overseas investors to experience firsthand the results of reform and opening-up, this non-deal roadshow will further expand the international influence of the Hainan FTP and attract more overseas institutions to follow Hainan and invest