For Jake Canning, a British entrepreneur who traded Leeds for tropical Hainan, running a business in China has been a journey of opportunity. Since relocating to the island in 2017, Canning has built a thriving pizza restaurant in Haikou, defying common misconceptions about foreign enterprises in the Chinese mainland.
"When I first considered opening a restaurant, locals warned me about red tape," Canning recalls. "But Hainan’s free trade port policies streamlined everything—licensing, permits, even bilingual support. It felt welcoming." His establishment, now a hotspot for both expats and residents, reflects the province’s growing appeal to overseas investors.
Hainan’s push to become a global tourism and trade hub by 2025 has accelerated reforms, with simplified business registration and tax incentives for foreign-owned ventures. Provincial data shows a 22% year-on-year increase in overseas-funded startups this year, driven largely by sectors like hospitality and green energy.
Canning’s story also highlights Hainan’s cultural adaptability. "We blend Italian recipes with local ingredients—like durian pizza," he laughs. "It’s about respecting traditions while innovating." As the island gears up for its annual Boao Forum for Asia in early 2026, analysts predict further liberalization, positioning Hainan as a testing ground for China’s next-phase economic openness.
