China has introduced 16 new measures to facilitate foreign businesses and professionals operating in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the world's largest by area. These measures, announced in a government circular, cover energy trade, medical services, and bonded business operations. The policies aim to promote high-standard opening-up and attract more foreign investment. The Hainan FTP, located in China's southernmost island province, has been implementing special customs operations since December 2025.
The new measures allow foreign physicians licensed to practice medicine overseas to obtain permits to provide clinical diagnosis and treatment services in Hainan for up to three years, with possible extensions. Additionally, more convenient policies regarding work permits and stay and residence will be introduced for foreign nationals. These changes are expected to boost the province's economic growth and make it more attractive to foreign businesses and professionals.
The Hainan FTP has been making significant progress in its development, with island-wide special customs operations launched in December 2025. This has led to freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage, and more business-friendly measures. The FTP will also support LNG futures delivery warehouse operations after LNG futures contracts are launched. Overseas companies will be allowed to use bonded facilities at Hainan's liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals.
Other measures introduced include promoting offshore trade, expanding the range of products eligible for bonded maintenance, and facilitating the entry of eligible bonded remanufactured products into pilot free trade zones on the Chinese mainland. The use of the yuan in new forms of barter trade will also be encouraged, and the FTP's economic and trade cooperation with China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be deepened.
Bonded remanufactured products entering mainland pilot free trade zones will be subject to applicable import tariffs, import-related value-added tax, and consumption tax. They must also meet all applicable technical requirements for equivalent new products and relevant regulations on remanufactured products, and be clearly labeled as such. The circular also calls for improved insurance products and services in areas such as international transportation and bonded maintenance.
The latest measures come amid robust growth in Hainan's foreign trade. In the first three quarters of 2026, the province's goods imports and exports reached 285.44 billion yuan (about 42.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 49.8 percent year on year. Trade in services rose 11.7 percent to 56.95 billion yuan, according to data from Hainan's provincial commerce authorities. Trade in maintenance and repair services more than doubled year on year to 3.31 billion yuan.
The number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in Hainan rose 38.6 percent year on year in the first half of 2026, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. The FTP measures are part of China's broader efforts to promote high-standard opening-up. The country has announced plans to further expand pilot opening-up programs in sectors such as value-added telecommunications, biotechnology, and wholly foreign-owned hospitals.
Key points
- China introduces 16 measures to ease foreign business operations in Hainan Free Trade Port
- Foreign physicians can obtain permits to practice medicine in Hainan for up to three years
- Hainan's foreign trade grows robustly, with imports and exports up 49.8 percent year on year
