One of China's latest moves in reform and opening up is the initiative to make all of Hainan, its southernmost province, a free-trade port. The government says it will allow horse racing and new types of sports lotteries there to attract tourism and investment. Racing, yes, but gambling is illegal on the Mainland. This new policy on Hainan has triggered speculation on how far the country can go in its future reforms. In today's special series Beyond the Wall, CGTN correspondent Han Bin digs into Hainan's horse racing prospects. He also travels to China's northwestern frontier in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to meet a man, whose life seems to be all about horses.

The Akhal-Teke, a symbol of power and speed. This man has 400 of them.

CHEN ZHIFENG, FOUNDER YE MA TRADING GROUP, XINJIANG "This is a core stud room. If you give them carrots, the horses will go crazy."

Chen Zhifeng is the founder of Xinjiang-based Ye Ma Trading Group. He has the world's largest stable of Akhal-tekes, known as "blood-sweating" horses for their color. He developed his interest while growing up on the Xinjiang prairie. Horses have been part of his life for decades. Chen says, there are over 2,000 pure-bred Akhal-Tekes in the world, mainly in rich areas of Central Asia.

CHEN ZHIFENG, FOUNDER YE MA TRADING GROUP, XINJIANG "We love horses like our own flesh and blood. Horses are like our children. I just want to play with them every day. I'll go crazy if I can't see them for more than a day."

Chen calls them his sons. He has special affection for certain ones, like this one from Uzbekistan. Chen wants to show them on a bigger stage one day. His dreams of horse racing on the Chinese mainland run wild and free. 

CHEN ZHIFENG, FOUNDER YE MA TRADING GROUP, XINJIANG "I can't imagine the herders' reaction at seeing such big horses. The whole prairie would be celebrating. They are so very, very rare on earth. Horses have auspicious, sunny and positive images. Horse racing has been a dream of people for generations. As long as China loosens the reins for racing, the entire country's economy will be stimulated. The horse economy will develop fast, along with these big, beautiful horses. When Hainan takes the lead, Xinjiang could be the second. Other provinces could then follow, The country's economy will run, too."

Chen says he's ready, and has the resources. As long as the policy is in effect, he will do all he can to make the industry grow.

Horse breeding is a very expensive profession.

Some teeth are too sharp. If not corrected, they will damage the mouth.

CHEN ZHIFENG, FOUNDER YE MA TRADING GROUP, XINJIANG "When we promote horse culture, it will add value to tourism. This is exactly in line with the government's next round of development strategy."

Chen believes Xinjiang's abundant horse resources and unique riding culture can be the country's strongest base for any breakthrough in racing. His hopes are high, as the government released a new strategy to open up its southernmost province, where horse racing will be allowed. But the policy still needs to be clarified, and no official plans have been released.

"Betting on horses, like gambling, is a symbol of capitalism, and is banned on the mainland. But as China continues to open up, many people are pushing for liberalization, hoping for a change someday. And if that happens, Hainan will be ready."

The free-trade zone project is seen as China's new commitment for opening up. It also serves as a counter measure to deal with protectionism with internal reforms. Hainan's economy grows slowly, and its real estate industry has been cooling. Many, including Chen Zhifeng, believe horse racing could give tourism a huge boost. Despite the tropical climate, Chen says horse racing is suitable for the province, aside from the three hottest months. He's adamant about racing's key role in Hainan's opening up.

CHEN ZHIFENG, FOUNDER YE MA TRADING GROUP, XINJIANG "With China's rising economic strength, plus the central government's commitment on reforms, I think there is no reason why Hainan should not stand out, to make the pilot free-trade island the best in the world. With such a strong government determination, Hainan must be ready to build the island into one of the world's first-class free-trade ports, comparable to Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong. If horse racing is regarded as the stuff of capitalism, what about stocks and lotteries? I hope horse racing can become the most powerful engine of Hainan's free-trade port, leading China's economy to achieving leapfrog development in the future."

Reform needs space to go forward. Chen thinks his horses can lead the charge. He says it's only a matter of time. Han Bin, CGTN.