On June 16, the 2026 Hainan Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events, under the theme "Sunny Hainan · Heart's Desire," were held in Hong Kong, bringing together leaders from Hong Kong's cultural and tourism authorities, industry associations, and key enterprises from home and abroad. The events aimed to explore new cooperation opportunities and outline the future of the industry, with a focus on the growing synergies between Hainan and Hong Kong.
Liu Xiaoming, Governor of the People's Government of Hainan Province, and Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended and delivered speeches. 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 various sectors in Hong Kong. Attendees agreed that Hong Kong and Hainan boast highly complementary cultural and tourism resources, with immense potential for cooperation.
The events highlighted the advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, which has implemented special customs operations featuring "zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system" and "tariff exemption for value-added processing." These policies have made Hainan increasingly attractive to businesses and opened broader opportunities for Hong Kong investors and entrepreneurs. The growing economic integration was evident in the symposium titled "Invest in the Free Trade Port, Share New Opportunities," where four cooperation agreements were 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.
Bilateral cooperation between Hainan and Hong Kong has accelerated since the signing of the Hainan-Hong Kong Memorandum of Cooperation in March 2025. In 2025, goods trade between the two sides reached RMB 9.35 billion, more than doubling from 2020. A total of 793 new Hong Kong-funded enterprises were established in Hainan, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Additionally, Hainan has 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."
The promotion events underscore the strategic importance of Hainan as a free trade port and its role in deepening economic and cultural ties with Hong Kong. For businesses and investors, the favorable policies and growing connectivity present significant opportunities for expansion and collaboration. The tourism sector stands to benefit from enhanced cooperation, as Hainan's unique attractions and Hong Kong's status as an international hub create a powerful draw for travelers. The agreements signed during the events signal a concrete commitment to further integration, with potential impacts on trade, investment, and cultural exchange in the region.
