Local authorities are stepping up efforts to offer targeted services for enterprises to facilitate business cooperation both upstream and downstream and promote the development of industrial clusters in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the world's largest FTP by area.

The Hainan FTP, located in China's southernmost island province, launched island-wide special customs operations in December 2025, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures as part of China's efforts to promote high-standard opening-up.

Most visiting business delegations make the exhibition hall of the Yangpu economic development zone their first stop. Many of those explaining the displays are not full-time docents but staff members from the investment promotion department, so they can precisely match the actual needs of businessmen from all circles.

"What I appreciate most is the convenience here -- the supporting facilities and site access in the port area, as well as our direct logistics and procurement costs. From an investor's perspective, this is the most attractive part," said Wang Qiang, head of an electronic product repair enterprise.

Since the customs closure, the number of commodity codes eligible for bonded maintenance in Hainan has increased to 305, of which 38 come from exception measures to the "prohibited and restricted list," carried out after self-assessment by Hainan Province. The Hainan FTP ranks among the most open in China for bonded maintenance services.

"At this stage, we are focusing on bringing in bonded maintenance market entities, expanding the range of repair categories, and enlarging the 'circle of friends' in the port area's bonded maintenance industry. In line with the pace of industrial development and the actual needs of enterprises, we are attracting upstream and downstream supporting enterprises to set up operations here," said Zuo Junhui, deputy director of the Development Bureau at the Yangpu Bonded Port Area in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone.

Institutional dividends are gradually being translated into market vitality and momentum for industrial development in the Hainan FTP after the launch of island-wide special customs operations.

As of Sept. 17, 186,000 new enterprises had been registered in Hainan, surging 79.7 percent, after the launch of island-wide special customs operations. Also, 74 percent of goods enjoy zero-tariff treatment under the Hainan FTP framework.