On June 16, the 2026 Hainan Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events under the theme "Sunny Hainan · Heart's Desire" were held in Hong Kong. Leaders from Hong Kong's cultural and tourism authorities, industry associations, and key enterprises gathered to explore new cooperation opportunities and chart the future of the industry. Liu Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan Province, and Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, attended and delivered speeches. During the promotional session, Chen Tiejun, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, unveiled the "Top Ten Calling Cards of Hainan Tourism", which received enthusiastic responses from Hong Kong attendees, who noted the highly complementary cultural and tourism resources between the two regions.
Since the launch of special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, its distinctive advantages such as "zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system" and "tariff exemption for value-added processing" have become increasingly prominent, making Hainan more attractive to businesses and opening broader opportunities for Hong Kong investors. On the same day, at the "Invest in the Free Trade Port, Share New Opportunities" Symposium for Hong Kong Enterprises, four cooperation agreements were formally signed, covering high-end commerce, cultural and tourism integration, and regional industrial coordination. Hong Kong business representatives expressed strong interest in deepening their presence in Hainan.
Hainan and Hong Kong share a long history of cooperation, and recent favorable policies have accelerated bilateral ties. Since the signing of the Hainan-Hong Kong Memorandum of Cooperation in March 2025, cooperation has expanded across the board. In 2025, goods trade between the two sides reached RMB 9.35 billion, more than double the 2020 figure. A total of 793 new Hong Kong-funded enterprises were established in Hainan, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Hainan has also issued offshore RMB bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, totaling RMB 18 billion. Currently, an average of four direct flights operate daily between Hong Kong and Hainan, with the fastest travel time under two hours, facilitating the rapid emergence of the "Hainan-Hong Kong Living Circle."
The events highlighted the growing synergy between the two regions, leveraging Hainan's free trade port policies and Hong Kong's global connectivity to drive mutual economic and cultural growth. The new agreements and tourism initiatives are expected to further boost investment and visitor flows, reinforcing Hainan's position as a key destination and investment hub in the Greater Bay Area.
