On June 16, the 2026 Hainan Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events, themed "Sunny Hainan · Heart's Desire," were held in Hong Kong, drawing leaders from cultural and tourism authorities, industry associations, and key enterprises from home and abroad to explore new cooperation opportunities. Liu Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan Province, and Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, attended and delivered speeches, highlighting the significance of the event for bilateral relations.
During the promotional session, Chen Tiejun, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, unveiled the "Top Ten Calling Cards of Hainan Tourism," which received enthusiastic responses from Hong Kong attendees. The attendees unanimously agreed that Hong Kong and Hainan possess highly complementary cultural and tourism resources, indicating immense potential for future cooperation.
The events also emphasized the growing attractiveness of Hainan's free trade port, which has been bolstered by special customs operations including "zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system" and "tariff exemption for value-added processing." These policies have made Hainan increasingly appealing to businesses and opened broader opportunities for Hong Kong investors and entrepreneurs.
On the same day, at the "Invest in the Free Trade Port, Share New Opportunities" Symposium for Hong Kong Enterprises, four cooperation agreements were formally signed, covering high-end commerce, cultural and tourism integration, and regional industrial coordination. Hong Kong business representatives expressed strong interest in deepening their presence in Hainan, reflecting the positive momentum of bilateral economic ties.
The cooperation between Hainan and Hong Kong has a long history, and recent years have seen a steady stream of favorable policies. Since the signing of the Hainan-Hong Kong Memorandum of Cooperation in March 2025, bilateral cooperation has accelerated across the board. In 2025, goods trade between the two sides reached RMB 9.35 billion, more than double the figure from 2020. Additionally, 793 new Hong Kong-funded enterprises were established in Hainan, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Hainan has also issued offshore RMB bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative total of RMB 18 billion. Currently, an average of four direct flights operate daily between Hong Kong and Hainan, with the fastest travel time under two hours, facilitating the rapid emergence of the "Hainan-Hong Kong Living Circle."
These developments underscore the deepening integration and mutual benefits between Hainan and Hong Kong, positioning Hainan as a key destination for tourism and investment while leveraging Hong Kong's role as a global financial hub.
