With the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially commence on December 18, 2025. With their launch just days away, we sit down with Dr. Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University, to get his take on the future of the Hainan FTP.

Hainan is the best example of opening up to drive reform

Rong Jia (R): Which aspect of the Hainan FTP's construction are you most focused on?

Mahoney (M): Hainan is currently creating a National Eco-Civilization Pilot Zone. What we’re interested in doing is seeing how we can promote ecological civilization, not only domestically, but internationally.

I think it's clear that Hainan will be the vanguard in developing China's blue economy, and that China itself is already in a leading position globally.

R: Hainan will officially launch island-wide special customs operations on December 18. How do you think this will support China’s further opening up and contribute to economic globalization?

M: We've reached a point where we need to open up to drive reforms. I think in many respects, Hainan is the best example of this need and serves as a "policy laboratory" for the rest of the country when it comes to this type of policy innovation. I think this sends a powerful signal to the rest of China that such policies will be incubated here. For both Chinese companies and those in other countries, Hainan is the best place to be.

A rich policy mix goes far beyond and seeks all kinds of synergies

R: The launch of special customs operations will see related policies refined and adjusted. From the perspective of a global investor, what kind of new opportunities do you foresee?

M: When many people think about the Hainan FTP, one of the things that immediately comes to mind is low or no tariffs and shorter negative lists. These are the basics, but there’s actually a rich policy mix that goes far beyond, seeking all sorts of other synergies. I think this really begs a close study by entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities. One of the things I say to foreign diplomats who ask me how they should approach the Chinese government on various issues is that they should really be looking at Hainan. Hainan is a big part of the future, not just for Southeast Asia, but for all of Asia. There’s a push-pull effect.

R: Allowing high-level overseas universities and vocational colleges in science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine to operate in the Hainan FTP independently is a policy that is unique to Hainan. When establishing operations in Hainan, what is it that overseas universities value most about it?

M: If I were a European student looking to do a year or semester abroad, I'd want to come to Hainan. I'd probably choose the winter term, not only because of the milder weather that time of year, but also because I’d want to be able to enjoy myself while doing some high-level work. I think it is possible that some institutions that have already established campuses or programs in other parts of China may consider setting up an office or satellite program in Hainan, as well as other overseas institutions that may have missed the opportunity to enter the Chinese market years ago. They're probably thinking: “Well, now is the time, and Hainan is the place.”

R: Hainan has introduced several measures, including visa-free entry policies for citizens of 86 countries and the Hainan TrustPay app. How effective do you find these policies?

　　M: I think they represent a massive reform. As someone who has lived in China for a long time, I believe we've seen China's visa policies become increasingly rationalized, open, progressive, and confident over time. I think this has been facilitated by new models of security, digital governance, and other factors. In terms of visa-free policies, many people from various countries can visit China visa-free. However, Hainan’s list of countries enjoying visa-free entry is the longest. It's an incredible opportunity for people, not only to come for business or investment, but for pleasure to enjoy the sea, mountains, and tropical fruits. I'm confident that the trend in liberalizing visa policies will not only drive China's growth and bolster cultural exchanges but also further demonstrate China’s commitment to a shared future for humanity.

Hainan in ten years will have progressed more than we could ever imagine

R: The recently concluded Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee once again emphasized expanding high-level opening up and creating new opportunities for beneficial cooperation. As a major initiative of opening up, what are your expectations for Hainan following the launch of special customs operations?

M: You sometimes hear people say that it's not far-fetched to imagine Hainan becoming the next Dubai. Hainan will never become the next Dubai. Hainan is unique and is set to become the world's largest free trade port. It creates unique, unparalleled opportunities for investment and growth, as well as what we can rightly assume will be further liberalizing policies, giving even greater access to the rest of the Chinese mainland market. Companies that establish a strong position now will be well-placed to capitalize on the growing opportunities that are inevitably forthcoming. I would expect that in ten years, Hainan will be much further down the road than many of us could even imagine right now.