[Photo/2025 Hainan Free Trade Port Investment Guide]

The Hainan Free Trade Port continues to deepen the opening of the modern services industry to the world, promoting relaxed and equal access to foreign service providers in trade in services. The modern services industry has become the new economic growth pole of Hainan FTP.

It stands as one of Hainan’s four key sectors. In recent years, Hainan has actively driven the high-quality advancement of this sector by harnessing new quality productive forces, resulting in a sustained growth of its external engagement.

Statistics indicate, between 2021 and 2024, the added value by Hainan’s modern services industry surged from 151.2 billion yuan ($21.04 billion) to 214.8 billion yuan, boasting an average annual growth rate of 9.2 percent. This growth surpassed the concurrent GDP expansion by 6.1 percentage points, propelling the province's service industry from 362.9 billion yuan in 2021 to 448 billion yuan in 2024.

In 2024, Hainan's modern services sector saw a seven percent increase in added value, with continued improvements in modern logistics, trade, and finance. The provincial government work report in early 2025 put a great emphasis on advancing the high-quality development of the service industry, deepening supply-side structural reforms, and creating innovative offerings to better meet new demands.

Medical & Healthcare

Hainan FTP offers unparalleled healthcare investment opportunities, driven by eased market access policies, digital prescription services, global medicine/device entry, and Lecheng's role as a gateway for medical innovation in China.

International Education

Hainan is currently the only region in China that permits independent operation of branch campuses established by foreign high-level universities and vocational colleges specializing in sciences, engineering, agriculture, and medicine.

Exhibition Industry

Foreign institutions are allowed to independently hold foreign-related economic and technology exhibitions, except for those including "China", "Chinese", "National", "State" in their names, in the Hainan FTP.

Financial Sector

Hainan is accelerating the development of cross-border investment and financing channels such as the Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (QFLP) and Qualified Domestic Limited Partner (QDLP) programs. And efforts are being made to optimize cross-border financial services and fully implement a series of facilitation measures to support seamless capital flows.

Modern Logistics

Hainan's modern logistics industry is supported by open maritime transport policies, including international ship registration and streamlined clearance processes. On land, major infrastructure projects such as the Boao Tunnel, Haiwen Bridge, and the Qiongzhong-Ledong Expressway have enhanced island-wide connectivity. Hainan has been granted seventh freedom of air for passenger and cargo services and welcomed its first airline operating under fifth freedom rights, further boosting cross-border logistics.

The fifth-freedom rights is generally defined as the right of an airline from one country to pick up and drop off traffic in a foreign country, then fly on to a third country where passengers and cargoes are deplaned.

The Seventh Freedom allows foreign carriers to operate flights between two foreign countries without the need to touch down in the airline's home country.

On each route enjoying the Seventh Freedom, the maximum number of passenger and cargo flights will be seven per week, according to Xinhua citing the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Professional Services

Hainan's professional services sector is supported by a range of favorable policies for service providers and professionals. Professional qualification examinations have been opened to foreign personnel, and a one-way approval mechanism has been introduced to recognize non-mainland Chinese professional qualifications, further attracting global talent and expertise.

New Offshore International Trade

Hainan's new offshore international trade is progressing in an orderly manner, supported by a comprehensive package of favorable policies. The region is also actively fostering the development of industrial clusters to strengthen this emerging trade sector.

Sources: 2025 Hainan Free Trade Port Investment Guide, Official WeChat of Department of Commerce of Hainan Province, Ministry of Education and Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development