The first Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum has been held as one of the main events in the Boao Forum. Representatives from the Hainan Free Trade Port and more than ten free trade zones and ports from China and abroad discussed new opportunities for openness and cooperation.

SHI SHAOPENG, Boao, Hainan Province "I'm now at the venue for the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum. Under the theme, 'Free Trade Ports Empowering Global Economic and Trade Cooperation,' it brings together representatives from eleven free trade zones or ports worldwide. Discussions have focused on the construction and development of global free trade ports and free trade experiences, with wisdom contributed from the Boao Forum for Asia."

Guests from over ten countries, including China, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, as well as China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gathered to discuss evolving trends in global free trade. They explored cooperation between free trade zones and ports, and offered advice on how to leverage them to promote international trade and investment. The discussions also focused on serving the independent customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port and facilitating Hainan to cooperate with other free trade zones and ports. 

LEONG VAI TAC, Member of Council of Advisors, Boao Forum for Asia, Chairman, Macao Committee for the Greater Bay Area "Hong Kong, Macao, and Hainan are all free trade ports of China. How can we generate a synergy effect? We need to help domestic enterprises find the right partners, enabling them to go global and attract investment. By leveraging this excellent platform, they can achieve even better development."

CHI FULIN, President, China Institute for Reform and Development "The scope of Hainan's visa-free policy will continue to expand. As China advances its opening-up policies, Hainan is bound to become a key hub—for the world, and especially for ASEAN and the Middle East."

The participants believed that as the independent customs operation approaches, it's crucial for the tropical province to make full use of the Boao Forum for Asia as a platform, sending a strong message globally about strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other free trade zones and ports, and fostering dialogue with global free trade partners. 

PEI SAI FAN, Former Founding Director, MAS Academy of Singapore "As a key project in China, the Hainan Free Trade Port must integrate with the global market. In the financial sector, Hainan is facing tremendous opportunities. Its unique financial openness and institutional innovations provide favorable conditions for the digital transformation of finance."

WANG ZHENGLIANG, Chairman, Liqing Zhidong Group "We have made a deep-rooted presence in Hainan for its development potential. At the same time, we see the confidence that Hainan brings to the global economy, China's economy, and especially the Asian economy."

ANNE-LAURE KIECHEL, Founder and CEO, Global Sovereign Advisory "We understand that you have links with many parts of the world and many agreements already with some countries. Probably there's also the possibility to do more right given the ambition of Hainan and the region. So, we believe it will be a very successful journey."

To date, the Hainan Free Trade Port has expanded its ties with 38 free trade zones and ports, engaging in cooperation covering investment and trade, industrial integration, technological innovation, the digital economy, and green development. By 2024, Hainan has attracted investment from nearly 150 countries and regions, with more than 100 multinational corporations setting up regional headquarters. Additionally, 77 Fortune 500 companies have established operations in Hainan. Shaopeng, Sansha Satellite TV in Hainan for CGTN.