Nanyang Interview: Exploring Opportunities in China’s Largest Free Trade Port — Financial Video Series Goes Live

HAINAN, CHINA — Six months after the Hainan Free Trade Port commenced island-wide customs operations on December 18, 2025, Malaysia’s Nanyang Siang Pau, in partnership with Hainan Daily Press Group, unveiled a financial video series titled Nanyang Interview: Exploring Opportunities in China’s Largest Free Trade Port. The series explores the development potential of Hainan Free Trade Port and investment opportunities for ASEAN businesses.

Economists interviewed for the series emphasized that ASEAN businesses cannot ignore the historic chance to enter the Chinese market via Hainan, which serves as a key gateway to the world’s second-largest market. With multiple policy incentives in place, the upcoming decade is considered a golden opportunity for Hainan. Since the launch of special customs operations, the number of foreign trade companies registered in Hainan has surged.

Industries such as high-end manufacturing, food processing, aviation maintenance, green energy, medical devices, and biopharmaceuticals stand to gain the most. Being situated at the southernmost tip of China, Hainan lies within a four-hour flight from 21 Asia-Pacific countries, providing an excellent entry point for ASEAN businesses.

Hainan attracted 106 million domestic and international tourists in 2025, making it an affordable testing ground for foreign investors to evaluate the market. As of the end of 2025, 11 banks in Hainan had established EF accounts, facilitating cross-border fund transfers with 91 countries and regions, generating a total transaction value of CNY 350.9 billion.

Economists recommended that ASEAN businesses perform comprehensive internal evaluations before investing. If they ascertain that the Chinese market aligns with their future growth strategy, they should consider establishing a presence in Hainan promptly, while taking advantage of the ongoing benefits of the Free Trade Port’s policies.