Freshly brewed Xinglong coffee was served steaming hot, filling the air with a rich aroma at the Xinglong Coffee Valley in Wanning, Hainan Province, on June 10.

"I think Hainan's coffee is richer and mellower. Honestly, it tastes even better than Starbucks, and everyone should really try it!" said Bonnie Chu, a media influencer from Hong Kong, lifting her cup for a sip before giving a thumbs-up to the camera.

On the same day, the "Chasing Aerospace, Embracing Hainan Free Trade Port" 2026 Hong Kong Media Talents Exchange & Interview Event —which includes 15 Hong Kong media representatives, Legislative Council members, cultural tourism KOLs, and social media bloggers—traveled from the tranquility of Wanning's Xinglong Coffee Valley to the cutting-edge Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center. The journey took them from the rich aroma of local coffee to the vast expanse of the cosmos, highlighting the diverse experiences Hainan has to offer.

A Cup of Coffee to "Savor Slowly"

"Coffee beans look a lot like peanuts. When two beans are joined together inside, it's just like expecting twins," a guide at the Xinglong Coffee Valley plantation explained, using vivid metaphors that drew laughter from the Hong Kong guests while pointing to the red and purple coffee cherries on the trees.

An influencer from Hong Kong enjoys Xinglong Coffee in Wanning.

"So it turns out the purple ones are the best, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and aroma," noted Hong Kong online blogger Jacky Ko as he snapped some photos. "In the past, I only knew how to drink ready-made coffee, but I never realized there was so much artistry behind the beans themselves."

At the tasting area, the distinct flavor profile of Xinglong Coffee—marked by a sweet aftertaste without any sour notes—pleasantly surprised the Hong Kong guests, who are well-accustomed to international coffee chains.

Hong Kong media influencers listen to the history of Xinglong Coffee at Wanning Xinglong Coffee Valley.

"I think Hainan coffee is truly exceptional and can rival the beans of many international brands," Jeremy Young Chit-on, a Hong Kong media professional, said during an interview. "It's a wonderful surprise. I didn't know Hainan Island could produce such high-quality coffee beans."

What struck the Hong Kong guests even more deeply was the "slow-paced" lifestyle philosophy embedded in Xinglong Coffee culture.

"Usually, when we drink Starbucks or Luckin Coffee - it's just a quick caffeine fix before work when we are rushing to beat the clock," Young observed with his coffee cup in hand. "But this kind of coffee is meant for unwinding and enjoying slowly. It's perfect for fast-paced Hong Kong residents to slow down and appreciate."

He specifically used the Cantonese word "tan" (叹)—a term that goes beyond the mere act of drinking tea or coffee to represent a relaxed, leisurely state of mind.

Standing beside him, Chu smiled and agreed, saying that this is exactly what "tan coffee" is all about, adding that the coffee was a perfect match for the local scenery.

Since the 1950s, returning overseas Chinese from 21 countries and regions brought coffee seeds and different cultures back with them to Xinglong. This unique "overseas Chinese flavor" gave the delegation a deeper understanding of the historic depth of Hainan’s coffee beans, prompting several members to purchase bags of beans as souvenirs on the spot.

A Journey Gazing at the Stars

Stepping into the main hall of the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center, visitors are greeted by a massive 20-meter-tall LED ribbon screen that displays the entire process of rocket launches, satellite insertions, and space station dockings.

Hong Kong media influencers visit the Wenchang Polestar Meteorite Museum.

"The Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center is the only aerospace supercomputing center in China and the world's first dedicated to commercial aerospace," a guide explained on Wednesday afternoon as the delegation gathered before a giant data display. "Satellite data captured from space is received and stored by ground stations, then processed and encrypted by supercomputers to ultimately provide decision-making support for governments and companies."

"From rocket ignition to satellite constellation networking, it felt like experiencing a space journey firsthand—it was absolutely stunning!" said blogger Ko Chung-kit. He added that the center demonstrates China's full industrial chain capabilities in commercial aerospace, spanning research and development, manufacturing, launch networking, data reception, processing, and application.

Hong Kong media influencers tour the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center.

According to the staff, three remote sensing satellites—Wenchang Supercomputing No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3—have been launched and integrated with the 144 satellites currently in orbit from the "Jilin-1" constellation. Together, they form the world's largest sub-meter resolution commercial remote sensing satellite constellation. The satellite constellation sees broad use in environmental monitoring, the regulation of illegal sand and mineral mining, urban management, and smart city construction.

"I didn't expect to see such cutting-edge aerospace technology in Hainan," said Hong Kong media professional Chu Suet-ha. "This is not only a reflection of national strength but also a highly unique calling card for the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port."

From the coffee trees of Xinglong Coffee Valley to the satellite models at the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center, the delegation spent the day measuring Hainan’s diversity and vitality with their own footsteps.

Hong Kong media influencer Ho Wan-sze noted that Hainan possesses not only breathtaking natural scenery but also storytelling cultural products like Xinglong Coffee alongside state-of-the-art technologies like aerospace supercomputing. She mentioned that these elements offer a perfect blend of everyday life warmth and advanced technology that appeals greatly to Hong Kong travelers, promising to share these stories with more people via her social media platforms.

"People in Hong Kong love drinking coffee, but many don't know Hainan has such excellent coffee," Young said. "We will definitely tell the story of Xinglong Coffee well when we return."

Looking at the supercomputing center from an industrial perspective, Young added that Hong Kong is also actively developing innovation and technology, making Hainan's forward-looking positioning in the aerospace big data industry a great opportunity for future cooperation between Hainan and Hong Kong.