On July 9, 2025, Shang Jing, Deputy Director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, and Andrei Ando, President of the Council of Administration of the Curtici Arad Free Trade Zone in Romania, signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province of the People's Republic of China and the Council of Administration of the Curtici Arad Free Trade Zone of Romania on the Establishment of Friendly and Cooperative Relations for Free Trade Zones/Ports on behalf of their respective free trade zones (ports) in Romania's Arad County.

With the signing, Curtici Arad becomes the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP)'s 40th partner within the Global Free Trade Zones (Ports) Partnership Initiative framework. The partnership is set to further deepen Hainan's cooperative links with fellow FTZs (FTPs) around the world, bolster its role as a key hub and node within the Initiative, and advance the creation of a high-standard, globally connected FTZ network for the Hainan FTP on the eve of the implementation of special customs operations.

The Curtici Arad FTZ was established on June 8, 1999, and is one of six free zones in Romania. The zone, which has convenient transportation links with Europe, counts automotive, shipping, and logistics among its key industries.

According to the MOU, the two sides will facilitate and coordinate relevant departments to give full play to their respective policies and location and industrial advantages in developing cross-border (inter-zonal) cooperation between industrial parks. Both sides will also benefit from each other’s experience and approaches in advancing institutional opening up, with a focus on rules, regulations, management, and standards.