South China's Hainan province launched island-wide special customs operations on December 18, 2025, marking a significant step in facilitating international exchanges. The policy allows citizens from 85 countries to enter the tropical island without visas while eliminating tariffs on 74% of product categories.
Accelerating People-to-People Connections
Richard A. Black of The Schiller Institute noted the reforms enable 'freer movement of both ordinary citizens and specialized scientific talents,' positioning Hainan as a hub for cross-border collaboration. The streamlined entry process comes as the province strengthens its role in the Hainan Free Trade Port initiative.
Economic Implications
Key features of the policy include:
30-day visa-free access for tourism/business
Duty-free quotas doubled for international visitors
Simplified customs clearance for research equipment
Analysts predict the measures will enhance Hainan's appeal to overseas investors and boost its innovation-driven development strategy.
