On June 25, the opening day of the China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo, the Hainan exhibition area welcomed a special visitor - Aleksandra Ruszkowska, an official from the Polish Investment & Trade Agency China office. She and her Shanghai-based colleagues had missed the earlier Hainan Free Trade Port Promotion Conference, so this time, they went straight to the Hainan exhibition area with a clear goal: to find a ‘ferry’ to bring Polish companies across to the China market.

At the Hainan Free Trade Port Pavilion, a staff member gave a detailed description of the core FTP policies, such as ‘zero tariffs’, tariff exemptions for processing and value-added services, and ‘freer access at the first line, regulated access at the second line’. Ruszkowska listened attentively, frequently asking questions about different policy details. Afterwards, she went across to the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Pavilion and lingered there for a long time. This is China's only ‘special medical zone’ allowing the use of medications and medical devices already on the market overseas but not yet available in China, opening a fast track for overseas health products to enter the Chinese market.

“It’s not easy for cosmetics, health products, and medical devices to enter the Chinese market,” said Ruszkowski. “Polish companies have been looking for easier channels.” After listening to the introduction, she smiled and said, “I’ve been to Hainan - it’s a beautiful place. Now I understand it even better.” Both sides exchanged contact information and will work to provide direct consultation for Polish companies in the future.

Similar scenes played out over and over at the Hainan exhibition area. “There were so many visitors from all around the world,” said Guo Yisi and Yang Ye, the English-Chinese translators at the exhibition hall, listing the countries represented: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Australia... “Some came straight to the point with specific questions, while others were just curious and wanted to learn more, but almost all of them left their contact information.” One board member from a Middle Eastern company left a deep impression on the translators—he asked about policy details in fluent Chinese. “He had clearly done his homework. I was stunned for a few seconds before I realized he didn’t need a translator at all.”

At the COSMOS exhibition area, a different kind of attraction was on display. This Hainan-based cross-border supply chain company showcased South African wines, Kazakhstani baked goods, New Zealand dietary supplements, and Korean cosmetics alongside Hainan Rosewood, Dendrobium Orchids, and Li Brocade, all in the same booth. "Even the most niche brands deserve to be seen," said Liu Xueying, a staff member. "It's too costly for small or medium-sized companies to go global alone. We're like a ship - each company gets a cabin, we travel together, and we share the costs." The Kazakhstani representative is a repeat COSMOS customer - after establishing a partnership at the last Chain Expo, they approached us this time, hoping to bring more Hainan products to their country. COSMOS also specially invited representatives from Kazakhstan and Belgium to a three-way meeting where they visited other pavilions—they visited the Italian pavilion one day and then were invited to visit the Arabian pavilion. "Booths and pavilions look at each other's resources and needs, and that's how the industrial chain and supply chain are connected."

In the Hainan Free Trade Port pavilion, the Fuyao Xingmei hearing aid booth, though small, attracted an extended visit from a Malaysian attendee. After trying on a titanium alloy AI digital hearing aid, he exclaimed with delight in the noisy exhibition hall, "I can hear very clearly!" He immediately took a sample unit home and added the company representative on WeChat: "Many elderly people in Malaysia have hearing problems. This product has a great market. I'll help connect you with distribution channels as soon as I get back. You're welcome to come and investigate."

The enticing aroma of coffee made communication even easier. At the Zhengda (Hainan) Xinglong Coffee booth, Yaimarelis, from Cuba, and a friend sipped cups of charcoal-roasted coffee. Staff member Chi Wenxin said, "These days, there's been a constant stream of international guests. Coffee is a great medium - a cup of coffee and a chat eliminates any sense of distance."

From Poland to Cuba, and from Kazakhstan to Malaysia, guests of different nationalities speaking different languages gathered at the Hainan exhibition area. They came with their own questions, and left with new contacts in their phones and a shared answer in their hearts: in the Hainan Free Trade Port, opportunities are real, tangible, and within reach.