Hainan FTP set to be crucial gateway for China's high-level opening up: FM spokesman

The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to become a crucial gateway for China's high-level opening up as the country continues working to build an open global economy, said Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, at a press briefing held in Beijing on Tuesday.

China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP last Thursday, the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage and adopting more business-friendly measures.

"From the establishment of Hainan special economic zone to the most recent launch of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port, Hainan has left a deep mark in the course of China's reform and opening-up. To 'develop the Hainan Free Trade Port to high standards' is written into the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the CPC for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development adopted at the fourth plenary session. We are convinced that Hainan FTP will become an important gateway of China's high-standard opening up," said Lin.

"Amid growing uncertainties in the world economy, China has been fulfilling its commitments to opening up through concrete actions, steadfastly countering protectionism, and promoting the building of an open global economy. China has shortened its negative list for foreign investment, lifted all market access restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, granted zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines to all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, and optimized visa-free entry policy and visa-free transit policy. From January to November this year, over 60,000 foreign-invested enterprises were established in China, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.9 percent. The total value of goods imports and exports exceeded 41 trillion yuan (over 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars), up 3.6 percent compared with the same period last year. The breadth and depth of China's opening-up continue to expand, the 'magnetic attraction' of its market keeps strengthening, and the resilience and vitality of its foreign trade remain evident," said Lin.

"The recently-concluded Central Economic Work Conference identified 'adhering to opening up and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation across multiple fields' as one of the key tasks of next year's economic work. China will open its doors still wider to the world, offer increasing development opportunities and continuously inject new momentum into advancing global common prosperity," said Lin.

Hainan FTP set to be crucial gateway for China's high-level opening up: FM spokesman

Hainan FTP set to be crucial gateway for China's high-level opening up: FM spokesman

The recent 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) Annual Conference in Beijing has impressed international guests with its focus on deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, highlighting how China's innovative advances are reshaping daily life.

The five-day forum, themed "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation," wrapped up in Chinese capital on Sunday after bringing together more than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions around the world.

More than 560 cutting-edge achievements were unveiled at the event, ranging from embodied intelligent robots and brain-computer interfaces to breakthroughs in quantum applications and 6G research and development.

The venue for the forum also showcased a number of these innovative creations to visitors, who were able to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee prepared by a humanoid barista, as well as be throughly entertained by robots performing dances or even playing piano.

Given the presence of these advanced humanoid robots, international participants shared the common view that innovation is no longer confined to laboratories but is now permeating every aspect of daily life.

"The deepest impression is actually to see how much AI is across everywhere," said Anders Karlsson, vice president of Elsevier, a global leader providing advanced information and decision support to accelerate progress in science and healthcare worldwide.

"The Zhongguancun Forum has become a very international window on innovation. We can find out annually how innovation is driving [and a key] component of growth of this wonderful country," said Vincenzo Lipardi, president and co-founder of SPICI, an Italian company assisting businesses and startups with strategic consulting services.

"As a scientist and as a worker of the United Nations system, I'm really pleased to see integration of science, technology and sustainability," said Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia.

One of the forum's key themes was around opening up and striving for greater cooperation, which demonstrated to the wider world that China's innovation aims to break down barriers and share opportunities, so as to enable the global community to advance together.

"It's my first time attending the forum. And I'm very surprised that you have a very high level of innovation. China is open to ideas. Openness is the way to make innovations," said Prof. Hussein Sherief, a member of the International Committee for Scientific and Technical Data (CODATA).

Int'l guests hail integration of technology, innovation at Beijing forum