Нийтэлсэн · Mongolian (Traditional)
Hainan Free Trade Port: New Trade Facilitation Measures for Foreign Founders
China's Ministry of Commerce and three other departments issued a notice to further improve trade liberalization and facilitation in Hainan Free Trade Port, with 16 measures across goods trade, services trade, and new trade formats. This article summarizes the key points for foreign founders considering Hainan as a base for China operations.
Hainan Free Trade Port: New Trade Facilitation Measures for Foreign Founders
In a move that could affect foreign founders planning to register or operate a company in China, four Chinese government departments—the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the General Administration of Customs—have jointly issued a notice to further enhance trade liberalization and facilitation in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). The notice, titled "Notice on Further Improving the Level of Trade Liberalization and Facilitation in the Hainan Free Trade Port," was published on the Ministry of Commerce website on October 29, 2026.
The notice is part of efforts to implement central government decisions and build the Hainan FTP into a key gateway for China's opening-up in the new era. For foreign entrepreneurs, it signals continued policy support for trade-related businesses in Hainan, though specific implementation details will depend on local regulations and procedures.
Overview of the 16 Measures
The notice proposes 16 measures across three areas: optimizing and upgrading goods trade, promoting liberalization and facilitation of services trade, and innovating new trade formats and models. These measures aim to strengthen the integration of trade and industry, expand opening-up in services, and stimulate new momentum for trade development.
Goods Trade: Focus on Key Industries
For goods trade, the measures focus on key industries such as automobiles and new petrochemical materials. The notice proposes support measures including optimizing bonded supervision, bonded delivery, and research and testing. It also emphasizes enhancing the integration of trade and industry to help strengthen, complement, and extend industrial chains.
For foreign founders involved in manufacturing, logistics, or trading of these goods, these measures could facilitate operations within the Hainan FTP, particularly for businesses utilizing bonded warehouses or conducting research and development activities.
Services Trade: Expanded Opening-Up
In services trade, the notice calls for further voluntary opening-up in service sectors such as healthcare, insurance, and professional qualification recognition. It also aims to improve the convenience of entry and practice for foreign personnel. The goal is to promote innovative development of leading industries including tourism and modern services.
This could be relevant for foreign founders in healthcare, insurance, tourism, or professional services who are considering setting up a presence in Hainan. The emphasis on easing entry and practice for foreign professionals may help address talent mobility challenges.
New Trade Formats and Models
The notice encourages exploration of new trade formats such as bonded maintenance and remanufacturing. It also supports comprehensive deepening of cooperation between the Hainan FTP and Hong Kong, and seeks to enhance coordinated development with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. These measures are intended to stimulate new drivers of trade development.
For founders in circular economy, advanced manufacturing, or cross-border services, these new formats may present opportunities, especially if they can leverage Hainan's proximity to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
Implementation and Risk Management
The notice stresses that relevant departments should uphold the overall leadership of the Party, balance development and security, and fully support, guide, and assist Hainan Province in implementing the policies to improve the quality and efficiency of foreign trade. Hainan provincial authorities are required to fulfill their primary responsibilities, improve working mechanisms, break down tasks, and ensure implementation. They are also tasked with establishing a sound risk prevention and control system, strengthening full-process supervision, and effectively managing risks to safeguard security.
For foreign founders, this means that while the direction is toward greater facilitation, compliance and risk management will remain important. It is advisable to stay informed about specific local implementation rules and to maintain robust internal controls.
Practical Implications for Foreign Founders
If you are considering Hainan as a location for your China company or as a base for trade activities, these measures suggest a continued policy focus on liberalizing trade and improving facilitation. However, the notice is a policy framework, and concrete procedures may vary. Foreign founders should:
- Monitor local implementation: Watch for detailed rules from Hainan provincial authorities and customs on how the measures will be applied.
- Assess sector relevance: Determine if your business falls within the key industries mentioned (e.g., automobiles, petrochemicals, healthcare, insurance, tourism, professional services, bonded maintenance, remanufacturing).
- Leverage regional cooperation: Explore opportunities arising from Hainan's cooperation with Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
- Ensure compliance: Maintain awareness of risk control and supervision requirements to operate smoothly.
For personalized guidance on company registration and operations in Hainan or elsewhere in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535. ChinaMNC provides assistance with company setup and ongoing compliance.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.