An economic and trade delegation from Hainan Province visited Hong Kong from October 19 to 20, signing memoranda of cooperation with The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA) and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI). The agreements aim to advance pragmatic cross-border collaboration between Hainan and Hong Kong in trade and investment, manufacturing industrial chains, and professional services. The visit, reported by Media OutReach Newswire, underscores Hainan's push to attract foreign investment and deepen ties with Hong Kong, a major source of capital for the province.
During the visit, the delegation met with the CCPIT Representative Office in Hong Kong, held discussions with CMA, and co-hosted the Hainan Free Trade Port (Hong Kong) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Meeting with FHKI. The event showcased the policies, key industrial layout, and investment opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) and arranged one-on-one business matchmaking between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises. These activities are part of Hainan's broader effort to position itself as a global trade and investment hub.
Wang Yuyuan, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Sub-council (CCPIT Hainan) and China Chamber of International Commerce Hainan Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the FTP's impressive performance since the launch of island-wide special customs operations on December 18, 2025. New enterprise registrations reached 174,000, a year-on-year surge of 95.9 percent, while newly established foreign-invested enterprises rose by 35.8 percent. In the first half of this year, inbound and outbound tourist arrivals exceeded 70 million, up 28 percent year on year, with the number of visa-free entry countries expanding to 88. From January to August, the province's total goods import and export volume hit 250 billion yuan, growing by 61.5 percent year on year. These figures illustrate Hainan's rapid emergence as a critical gateway connecting China with the rest of the world and a prime channel for two-way investment.
Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in Hainan's investment landscape. According to CCPIT Hainan, Hong Kong ranks as a major source of foreign investment for Hainan. In the first half of this year, Hainan registered 1,303 new foreign-invested enterprises, an increase of 38.62 percent year on year, with Hong Kong-funded enterprises accounting for the lion's share. Additionally, Hainan has issued offshore RMB local government bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative issuance volume reaching 18 billion yuan. This financial integration further solidifies Hong Kong's position as a key partner in Hainan's economic development.
The memoranda explicitly stipulate that the two sides will establish a regular liaison mechanism, build a long-term cooperation platform covering information sharing, business matchmaking, exhibition collaboration, and professional services, and provide solid support for pragmatic business cooperation between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises. CMA, one of Hong Kong's most representative non-profit industrial and commercial bodies with around 3,000 member enterprises, and FHKI, one of Hong Kong's four major chambers of commerce with approximately 2,000 corporate members, bring substantial networks and expertise to the partnership. Their involvement signals strong private-sector commitment to leveraging Hainan's FTP policies and Hong Kong's international connectivity.
The implications of this announcement are significant. For Hainan, the cooperation with Hong Kong's leading industrial associations can accelerate the island's integration into global supply chains and attract high-value investment in manufacturing and services. For Hong Kong, the partnership offers opportunities to expand its hinterland and participate in the FTP's growth, particularly in professional services and trade facilitation. The regular liaison mechanism and long-term platform ensure that collaboration will be sustained and scalable, potentially serving as a model for cross-border economic cooperation. As Hainan continues to develop its free trade port, such partnerships with Hong Kong will be crucial in realizing its ambition to become a globally influential economic zone.
