Local authorities are stepping up efforts to offer targeted services for enterprises to facilitate business cooperation both upstream and downstream and promote the development of industrial clusters in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the world's largest FTP by area.
The Hainan FTP, located in China's southernmost island province, launched island-wide special customs operations in December 2025, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures as part of China's efforts to promote high-standard opening-up.
Most visiting business delegations make the exhibition hall of the Yangpu economic development zone their first stop. Many of those explaining the displays are not full-time docents but staff members from the investment promotion department, so they can precisely match the actual needs of businessmen from all circles.
"What I appreciate most is the convenience here -- the supporting facilities and site access in the port area, as well as our direct logistics and procurement costs. From an investor's perspective, this is the most attractive part," said Wang Qiang, head of an electronic product repair enterprise.
Since the customs closure, the number of commodity codes eligible for bonded maintenance in Hainan has increased to 305, of which 38 come from exception measures to the "prohibited and restricted list," carried out after self-assessment by Hainan Province. The Hainan FTP ranks among the most open in China for bonded maintenance services.
"At this stage, we are focusing on bringing in bonded maintenance market entities, expanding the range of repair categories, and enlarging the 'circle of friends' in the port area's bonded maintenance industry. In line with the pace of industrial development and the actual needs of enterprises, we are attracting upstream and downstream supporting enterprises to set up operations here," said Zuo Junhui, deputy director of the Development Bureau at the Yangpu Bonded Port Area in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone.
Institutional dividends are gradually being translated into market vitality and momentum for industrial development in the Hainan FTP after the launch of island-wide special customs operations.
As of Sept. 17, 186,000 new enterprises had been registered in Hainan, surging 79.7 percent, after the launch of island-wide special customs operations. Also, 74 percent of goods enjoy zero-tariff treatment under the Hainan FTP framework.
China steps up targeted services for enterprises at world's largest free trade port
"China Haul" -- a trend of foreign tourists opening their suitcases on social media to show off the Chinese goods they bought during trips to China -- has recently gone viral overseas.
Some joke that "China Haul" sounds like "China good" in Chinese, a fitting description for leisure trips to the country, since tourists often arrive with empty suitcases and leave with them fully stuffed, proving that made-in-China products are indeed good.
Opening a suitcase to show off purchases made in China is one of the most popular ways German tourists share their trips. Alexander Haase has traveled to Beijing four times over the past year, and buying Chinese tech products has been a must every time. His suitcase reads like a continuously updated list of Chinese tech products.
"In the past 12 months alone, I've been to China four times. What I bought are mostly high-tech products. For example, I bought a Huawei laptop, and AI glasses. In short, all the latest high-tech products," said Haase.
Haase's shopping list directly reflects the popularity of Chinese tech products among German tourists. Having visited China many times over more than two decades, he has witnessed not only the iteration of products but also the overall upgrading of the urban environment and digital infrastructure.
For him, buying tech products in China is no longer a side activity but an indispensable part of the trip. This change is also appearing among more German tourists.
German travel industry insiders have also observed that China's appeal to young people has moved beyond traditional sightseeing of historic sites; experiencing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots up close is becoming a new reason to visit China.
"The development of China's high and new technologies is a very important element attracting young people from abroad. For example, robots spark their greater interest in learning more about China. Thanks to the visa-free policy, young German tour groups can travel to China at any time, just as they please," said Tang Huiying, general manager of a German youth travel agency.
According to German travel industry insiders, German tourists visiting China in 2026 are expected to reach between 500,000 to 600,000. For frequent travelers like Wolfgang Bednarek, who has visited China many times, China's charm is not one-dimensional but a comprehensive appeal formed by the combination of multiple experiences.
"I have traveled all over the world, but I have to say that in my heart, China is the most impressive country. China not only has a unique culture and diverse geographical features, but the people there are also a highlight -- an absolute highlight," said Bednarek.
German tourists embrace Chinese high-tech goods, fueling "China Haul" trend online
