A view of Sanya Central Business District on June 23, 2025. [Photo/VCG]
Located in the heart of Sanya city, the Sanya Central Business District (CBD) is one of the 13 key industrial parks under the Hainan Free Trade Port initiative. Since its establishment, the district has focused on building a modern service industry system, with headquarters economy, modern commerce, financial services, and cruise-yacht industries as its core pillars, supported by professional services and cultural leisure sectors.
Spanning 450.8 hectares, the district integrates commercial offices, international talent communities, cultural entertainment, public services, and a cruise homeport. It is divided into four major zones: Phoenix Coast (tourism, cruise, yacht, and cultural consumption), Yuechuan (financial hub and international waterfront commercial street), Dong'an (large-scale commercial and headquarters economy), and Hailuo (international talent community and garden headquarters).
As of December 2024, the district hosts 7,994 enterprises, including 28 headquarters companies. Key industries include headquarters economies like Zijin International Holdings and Datang Overseas Investment, financial services like Sequoia Capital and Qifu Capital, modern commerce like Zhuhai Duty-Free and Hainan Tourism Duty-Free, and cruise-yacht sectors like China Travel Cruise and AsiaStar Technology.
In 2024, the district achieved a fixed-asset investment of 5.16 billion yuan ($716 million) in the first three quarters. Major projects like Joy City Global Center, Poly International Plaza, and CCCC Hainan Headquarters have been completed, while others, such as Zijin International Center and Sanya's "two centers", are in completion.
The Phoenix Island Cruise Port features an 80,000-metric-ton berth and a 10,000-square-meter passenger terminal, handling 54,624 international cruise passengers from January to September 2024, ranking first nationally. Over 80 yacht industry enterprises, including Bureau Veritas and O'Neill Yachts, have established operations, solidifying Sanya's position as a leading yacht tourism destination.
Positioning
1. Headquarters Economy
Attracting multinational and domestic enterprises to build a specialized headquarters cluster and a multifunctional center for investment and financing, settlement, operations, asset management, procurement, design, R&D, and sales.
2. Modern Commerce
Focusing on duty-free shopping, high-end businesses, cross-border e-commerce, and trade in services, the district aims to become a comprehensive demonstration zone for international high-end commerce, a consumption hub linking Hainan and the mainland, and a premier destination for international tourism and spending.
3. Professional Services
Attracting globally renowned accounting firms, law firms, consulting companies, and valuation agencies to provide cross-border enterprises, financial institutions, and trading companies with services in auditing, taxation, strategic consulting, and asset valuation.
4. Financial Services
Encouraging fintech companies to establish operations, supporting foreign, state-owned, and private enterprises in setting up cross-border investment and financing platforms. Promoting the agglomeration of fund, wealth, and asset management institutions, and attracting domestic and international exchanges and settlement institutions to set up regional or functional headquarters.
5. Cruise & Yacht
Developing a world-class center for cruise and yacht tourism and consumption, an internationally renowned hub for yacht exhibition and trade, and a global leader in yacht innovation and services. The plan includes offshore fishing platforms, underwater ranches, dedicated sailing and yacht training bases, a maritime culture museum, and the establishment of Hainan International Yacht Trading Company.
6. Culture & Recreation
Introducing institutions in art exhibition and auction, culture, sports, entertainment, and leisure tourism. Supporting bonded art display, auction, and trade, and actively hosting major international exhibitions and festivals.
Sources: english.sanya.gov.cn and english.iedb.org.cn