The Hainan Free Trade Port launched an international services portal on Monday to centralize information and streamline services for expatriates and foreign-invested enterprises. The release comes three days before the start of island-wide special customs operations, aligning with China's broader opening-up efforts.
The Hainan Free Trade Port's international services portal, en.hainan.gov.cn, launched on December 16 in Haikou. It consolidates services for expatriates' daily life, work, and business needs, timed with a pivotal stage in Hainan’s development.
The multilingual portal features seven main sections, such as Dynamic Hainan for an overview of the island province, Do Business to foster a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized environment, and Online Services. It covers 44 high-demand categories and 95 specific international items, each with bilingual Chinese-English guides. Through a single login, users can access accommodation registration, work permits, medical appointments, visa-free policies, and driving services.
Initially available in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic, it integrates 29 provincial foreign-related systems and connects directly to Hainan’s primary e-governance platform, Haiyiban.
Businesspeople quickly appreciated its practicality. UK entrepreneur and translator David Adrian Janke said: "I believe it represents the culmination of the many efforts to make Hainan more accessible for foreign nationals. I am glad that there is now a reliable platform that puts the breadth and depth of various aspects of living, working and doing business in Hainan at users' fingertips."
Slovak-Canadian international trade worker Jan Kerekes noted: "Now, all procedures are centralized on the portal, and frequently used services such as enterprise registration and consular authentication can be completed through the portal." He added that easy access to updated policies and industrial park information saves substantial time and bolsters confidence for foreign investors.
South African entrepreneur Lara Netherlands, founder of an economic consulting firm, hopes to use the portal for detailed policy insights and to "facilitate clients with tailored business plans and a soft landing in the Hainan FTP." She anticipates efficient feedback via its online email channels. Pakistani businessman Zeeshan Qasim Khan praised: "This platform is of significant importance and is useful in our daily life. ... It's an exciting step forward in our shared vision for a more connected, responsive and inclusive future."
The portal was developed by the Hainan Provincial Department of Business Environment Development, in coordination with multiple departments and China Daily. At the Haikou launch event, China Daily deputy editor-in-chief Liu Weiling stated that the publication will support its development to set "a new benchmark for foreign-related services."
Local officials emphasized that the portal underscores China's commitment to economic openness and will be continually improved with a user-centered approach to draw more global talent and resources to the FTP.
