BEIJING — China on Thursday unveiled 16 measures to make it easier for foreign businesses and professionals to operate in the Hainan Free Trade Port, the world's largest free trade port by area, in a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the General Administration of Customs.
Source: Xinhua via State Council Information Office
On services, foreign physicians who are legally licensed to practise medicine overseas may obtain permits to provide clinical diagnosis and treatment in Hainan for up to three years, with extensions available. Foreign nationals will also get more convenient work permits and stay and residence policies, and the measures call for wider recognition of international professional qualifications.
Source: Xinhua via State Council Information Office
On energy and goods trade, overseas companies will be allowed to use bonded facilities at Hainan's liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals, and the port will be supported in running LNG futures delivery warehouse operations once LNG futures contracts are launched. Aviation kerosene brought into designated bonded storage for re-export will be inspected according to international standards, and the Yangpu Economic Development Zone may combine bonded and export-supervision warehouses storing petroleum products under a new regulatory model.
Source: People's Daily (Xinhua)
The package also promotes offshore trade, expands the range of products eligible for bonded maintenance, lets products made through bonded remanufacturing in Hainan's special customs areas be sold into pilot free trade zones on the mainland, encourages new forms of barter trade priced in Chinese yuan, and allows a pilot import of faulty key automotive components for research and testing.
Source: People's Daily (Xinhua)
Hainan, China's southernmost island province, launched island-wide special customs operations in December 2025, allowing freer entry of overseas goods and expanded zero-tariff coverage. According to the province's commerce authorities, goods imports and exports reached 285.44 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2026 — yaani, about 42.5 billion US dollars — up 49.8 percent year on year, while services trade rose 11.7 percent to 56.95 billion yuan.
Source: Xinhua via Kenya Top Stories
Beijing presents the Hainan port as a flagship of its high-standard opening-up drive. The measures are announced policy; how much new foreign business they draw will depend on the detailed rules that follow.