"Hainan's approach to promoting coffee is worth learning from." "Riyue Bay demonstrates outstanding cultural and tourism development capabilities." Last week, the Global South media delegation traveled deep into Wanning, where first hand encounters with the city's innovative coffee industry and vibrant surf culture offered a vivid glimpse of Hainan’s openness and emerging opportunities.

Foreign Media Praise Wanning's Coffee Industry

At the M1 Coffee Dream Factory in Wanning, known for its overseas Chinese heritage, coffee becomes a canvas for creativity. Used coffee grounds are turned into sand paintings, dried beans become toys for children, and an array of inventive products such as coffee-powder murals, coffee-bean bracelets, and coffee-scented aromatherapy fill the space.

The Global South media delegates enjoy coffee at the M1 Coffee Dream Factory. (Photo by Hinews)

The Global South media delegates interview a person in charge of the M1 Coffee Dream Factory.

(Photo by Hinews)

Here, the delegation witnessed the deep integration of coffee with technology and cultural tourism. From the use of sound-and-light simulation to the recreation of original coffee-growing environments, to real-time monitoring of roasting through automated production lines, to creative goods made from spent grounds, the transformation and upgrading of Hainan's coffee sector made a strong impression on international journalists.

Netsanet Kinfe Kibret from the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation remarked that, "Wanning's coffee promotion and industrial chain development are impressing. By combining technology with tourism, Hainan helps consumers truly understand coffee culture, this model is worth learning from." She also noted that Hainan Free Trade Port's zero-tariff policies are opening doors for cooperation, giving Ethiopia's high-quality coffee access to broader markets via Hainan.

Surf Culture Drives Youth Tourism and Economic Vitality

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Wanning's Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay) to immerse themselves in its youthful, trend-driven atmosphere and to witness a new wave of tourism growth in Hainan.

As one of China's most popular surfing destinations, Riyue Bay draws an increasing number of visitors each year, earning its place as a paradise for young people who love surfing and beach culture. At the Riyue Bay Surfing Base, the delegation experienced the booming sports-tourism industry firsthand.

A coach is showing surfing skills to the Global South media delegates. (Photo by Hinews)

As one of the birthplaces of China's surf culture, Riyue Bay combines exceptional natural conditions with a youthful approach to development. In 2024, it welcomed over two million visitors, spurring explosive growth in surrounding industries.

Charissa Suk-Ieam of Thailand's Matichon praised the destination: "Riyue Bay showcases Hainan's outstanding cultural and tourism development capacity. It is not only a paradise for surfers but also attracts global travelers through sustainable travel routes." She noted that Wanning's surf-centered tourism ecosystem, including diving, jet-skiing, and other activities, offers a multidimensional model of cultural-tourism integration that Global South countries can learn from.

Building Bridges for Cooperation

Having positioned itself as "Trendy Seas and Mountains, Dynamic Wanning," the city continues to strengthen its three signature identities—coffee, surfing, and overseas Chinese heritage. Wanning is becoming a key window for the international community to observe China's new era of openness. Through diverse storytelling by "Global South" media, Hainan's image of openness and dynamism will reach wider audiences around the world. The delegation's visit to Wanning showcased not only achievements in industrial innovation and cultural-tourism integration but also highlighted Hainan's role as a gateway for China's opening-up. Foreign journalists agreed that Hainan offers abundant new opportunities in trade and investment, with enormous potential for cooperation particularly in tourism and technology.