At the start of 2026, a new trend took social media by storm: “#BecomingChinese.” From TikTok to Instagram, millions of people worldwide are sharing their new habits—drinking hot water, practicing Baduanjin (qigong), and rocking traditional cotton slippers. While it started as a viral meme, it reflects something much deeper: the unfolding story of a China that is more open than ever.

China’s latest government work report backs this up with some convincing numbers. Last year, the country’s exports grew by 6.1%, the number of new foreign-funded enterprises jumped by 19.1%, and inbound tourism surged by 17.1%. This is a global “vote of confidence” from capital, talent, and travelers alike.

On China’s grand strategic “chessboard,” the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is a key move, serving as the nation’s “stress test zone” and a “showroom” for high-level opening up.

The figures speak for themselves: In the first month following the launch of island-wide special customs operations in the FTP, visa-free entries to Hainan hit 87,000—a 64% increase. During the 2026 Spring Festival, island-departure duty-free sales rose by 30.8%, while visa-free foreign tourist arrivals skyrocketed by over 75%.

In 2025, paid-up foreign investment reached 25.1 billion yuan, with more than 2,500 new foreign firms established. Even more impressive is the structure: service trade exports grew by 81%, signaling that Hainan is now delivering high-end services, standards, and rules to the world.

Hainan has been featured in the government work report for eight consecutive years. This is no coincidence. It’s a clear message to the world: China’s resolve to build the FTP is enduring and unwavering, and its doors will only open wider.

Hainan is far more than just a shopping and vacation paradise—it’s a testbed for institutional innovation. We are talking about zero tariffs, low tax rates, and trade liberalization.

Look at what’s happening on the ground: the island boasts China’s first university campus independently run by an overseas institution, and the first wholly foreign-owned hospital has been inaugurated. Hainan boasts the country’s shortest negative list for foreign investment, while the range of goods subject to “zero tariffs” has expanded to over 6,600 items.

To top it all off, Hainan offers the nation’s best visa-free policies—welcoming citizens from 86 countries, plus 15-day visa-free stays for cruise passengers.

Such strides to improve high-quality opening-up are transforming Hainan into the ultimate new magnet for global capital and talent.

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