As rising opportunities from the Hainan Free Trade Port’s (FTP) island-wide special customs operations converge with new trends in the cultural and tourism industries, an investment promotion event focused on cultural trade, duty-free consumption, and digital market expansion is set to open. The 2025 Sanya Cultural and Tourism Integration Investment Promotion Event, guided by the National Base for International Cultural Trade (Sanya) and hosted by the city’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, will be held in Sanya, Hainan, from December 26 to 27, 2025.

The event, which will run alongside the 10th Sanya International Cultural Industries Fair 2025 (Sanya ICIF 2025), adopts an innovative format that combines project presentations with on-site inspections, inviting enterprises from around the world to gather on the island and explore new development opportunities following the launch of special customs operations.

Sanya ICIF 2025 synergy to enable immersive global resource engagement

On December 26, the first day of the event, participants will attend the opening of the Sanya ICIF 2025 at the Sanya International Yachting Center. Under the theme “Rising Tides for Hainan Free Trade Port, Culture Paints a Brighter Tomorrow,” the expo covers an exhibition area of 10,000 square meters and features seven themed zones: marine culture, brand IP, film and animation, China-chic, cultural tourism integration and consumption, achievements of the Hainan FTP’s development, and cultural and creative product exchange.

Participants will have in-depth access to a wide range of global cultural and innovative resources. Highlights include exploring the heritage and modern innovation of the Maritime Silk Road in the marine culture zone, engaging with renowned institutions such as the Palace Museum and the Shaanxi History Museum in the brand IP zone, learning about the latest developments in cultural tourism, technology, and fashion in the Hainan FTP exhibition area, and viewing award-winning works from the 2025 Cultural Product Innovation Design Competition in the creative exchange zone to gain insight into design-driven industrial trends.

The Fair has attracted cultural enterprises from Belt and Road partner countries, including Hungary, Peru, and Australia. Through new product launches, creative competitions, and related activities, it will serve as a high-level international platform for industry matchmaking and offer ample opportunities to explore investment potential.

Focus on special customs operations and preferential industry policy interpretation

After touring the Fair, invitees will participate in the Hainan Free Trade Port (Sanya) Cultural Industry Investment Promotion Seminar. The seminar will provide an in-depth interpretation of key policies and implementation pathways related to cultural industry investment, cross-border capital flows, and trade facilitation after the launch of island-wide special customs operations. Key platforms, such as the National Base for International Cultural Trade (Sanya) and the Sanya High-Quality Development Industry Fund, will conduct roadshow presentations outlining their functions, entry advantages, and cooperation opportunities, offering enterprises a clear roadmap for project implementation.

Multi-channel communication to expand event impact

During the event, multiple provincial and mainstream media outlets, as well as industry media, will provide comprehensive coverage. Partner organizations and participating enterprises will also amplify messaging through their own communication channels. In addition, Sanya ICIF’s integrated online–offline communication system, featuring live streaming and creator-led cultural and tourism explorations, will further enhance the event's visibility and investment appeal, boosting synergy between the Fair and investment promotion efforts.

With openness and pragmatism, the 2025 Sanya Cultural and Tourism Integration Investment Promotion Event will fully leverage ICIF’s industrial clustering and showcase role, serving as a key platform for industry matchmaking and policy implementation.