A 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 in trade and investment, manufacturing industrial chains, and professional services between the two regions. The visit underscores Hainan's push to attract foreign investment and deepen ties with Hong Kong, a major source of capital for the island 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 FTP and arranged one-on-one business matchmaking between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises. 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 rapid progress since the launch of island-wide special customs operations on December 18, 2025. He noted that 174,000 new enterprises have been registered, a year-on-year surge of 95.9 percent, while newly established foreign-invested enterprises rose by 35.8 percent year on year.
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 position Hainan as an emerging gateway connecting China with the rest of the world and a prime channel for two-way investment.
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. Hainan has also issued offshore RMB local government bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative issuance volume reaching 18 billion yuan.
The memoranda 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, has around 3,000 member enterprises and offers services including exhibitions, brand promotion, testing, and certification. FHKI, one of Hong Kong's four major chambers of commerce, has approximately 2,000 corporate members and focuses on boosting the sustained development of Hong Kong industry and manufacturing through policy advocacy, business matchmaking, certification services, and youth talent cultivation.
The collaboration signals Hainan's commitment to leveraging Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial and trade hub to accelerate the FTP's development. It also offers Hong Kong businesses expanded access to Hainan's growing market and preferential policies. The agreement was announced via Media OutReach Newswire, highlighting the significance of the partnership for regional economic integration.
