What progress has been made in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port since it launched island-wide special customs operations 100 days ago? At 4:00 PM on March 26, a press conference themed "Hainan Free Trade Port: 100 Days into Special Customs Operations" was held at the No. 2 Lawn Area of Dongyu Island Cultural Park in Boao, Qionghai, a city on the eastern coast of southern China's Hainan Province. It highlighted the Hainan Free Trade Port's rapid development and fresh vitality, presenting an open, confident, and inclusive image of Hainan to domestic and international media.

The event featured presentations by government officials, the launch of a new book, and on-site exchanges. Cai Qiang, a member of the Party Leadership Group, Secretary-General, and Spokesperson of the People's Government of Hainan Province, briefed the media on the progress made by the Hainan Free Trade Port in the 100 days since the launch of its landmark initiative. The new book, Keywords to Understand China: Hainan Free Trade Port, was unveiled by Wang Bin, Member of the Standing Committee, Director-General of the Publicity Department, and Spokesperson of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, along with Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies. During the exchange session, representatives from key departments, including the Office of the Working Committee for the Free Trade Port (under the Provincial Committee for Comprehensive Reform), Foreign Affairs Office, Development and Reform Commission, the Departments of Business Environment Development, Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, Commerce, and Finance, and Haikou Customs, as well as officials from the Qionghai Municipal People's Government, engaged in face-to-face discussions with attending domestic and international reporters. Participants later viewed the Hainan Free Trade Port High-Standard Development Exhibition and Qionghai City Exhibition.

Cai highlighted progress in implementing core relevant policies: Between December 18, 2025, and March 25, 2026, 7,503 new foreign trade enterprises were registered in the province—a 65.7% year-on-year increase—and 11,773 market entities obtained beneficiary status under its "zero-tariff" policies. The Electronic Fence (EF) account system has been operating smoothly, with transaction volumes reaching 137.6 billion yuan. Since the system was launched, 990 EF accounts have been opened, handling transactions exceeding 450 billion yuan in equivalent terms and facilitating capital transfers with 99 countries and regions. Island-departure duty-free shopping sales totaled 15.62 billion yuan, reflecting 27.64% year-on-year growth. In February this year, five daily duty-free shops opened, allowing island residents to enjoy affordable duty-free shopping right at the doorstep.

Referencing operations at the province's "first-line" open (overseas-facing) ports and "second-line" customs (mainland-facing) ports, Cai announced key data: over the 100 days since the launch of special customs operations, foreign trade exceeded 80 billion yuan, up 32.9% year-on-year. 186 transactions were facilitated under "zero-tariff" policies, with a total value of 1.696 billion yuan—a 1.46-fold increase—and duty exemptions of 271 million yuan, up 93.6%. The average customs clearance time was reduced by 26%. The number of cross-border passengers reached 861,000, a 36.3% increase, including 217,000 visa-free entries, up 54.2%. There were 6,077 international (regional) flights, a 30% increase, and 1,393 sailings, up 15.2%. 547 transactions were handled under the import tariff exemption policy for products with no less than 30% added value after processing, a 26.6% increase, with a total value of 314 million yuan and tariff reductions totaling 15.5802 million yuan. All new policy optimizations, including the inclusion of materials produced and sourced in Hainan and the cumulative calculation of added value, have been fully implemented.

"This press conference has done away with the traditional closed meeting format, instead moving the venue outdoors to the lush banks of Wanquan River in Qionghai, enabling journalists to fully experience the open attitude and vibrant energy of the Hainan Free Trade Port." An official from the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee's Publicity Department stated that the event drew 120 journalists from 46 Chinese and foreign media organizations. It is hoped that through their cameras and pens, they will share Hainan's dynamic practices in deepening reform and opening up and in building the Free Trade Port, helping Hainan better connect with the world.