借自贸港建设”东风” 琼渝携手拓展开放合作新空间 – 重庆市人民政府

Hainan and Chongqing have established a strategic cooperation framework to leverage the Hainan Free Trade Port’s (FTP) transition toward closed-loop operation. This partnership was highlighted during the first out-of-province press conference held in Chongqing specifically regarding the FTP’s operational milestones and its integration with other regional economic hubs.

The collaboration aims to create a synergy between Chongqing’s position as a major inland logistics and industrial center and Hainan’s role as a maritime gateway. By aligning their development strategies, the two regions intend to expand the space for open cooperation, utilizing the regulatory advantages provided by the FTP’s unique customs status.

The Transition to Closed-Loop Operation

Central to the current cooperation is the progress of the Hainan FTP’s closed-loop operation. This process involves shifting customs controls from individual ports of entry to the perimeter of the entire island, effectively treating the whole of Hainan as a special customs zone. This operational shift is intended to streamline the movement of goods and people, reducing administrative friction for international trade and investment.

According to reports from China Daily, the transition is achieving a high-standard start, with economic dividends being released more rapidly as the closed-loop mechanisms are implemented. The transition allows for more efficient duty-free policies and simplified customs clearance, which are expected to attract more foreign capital and high-tech enterprises to the island.

Strategic Synergy Between Chongqing and Hainan

The cooperation between Chongqing and Hainan is designed to link the western interior of China with the southern coast. Chongqing, as a critical node in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, provides the industrial base and logistics network necessary to move goods from the heart of the country to the coast. Hainan provides the “east wind” of free trade policies, offering a platform for these goods and services to enter global markets under preferential terms.

The press conference in Chongqing served as a platform to discuss how the city’s enterprises can utilize the FTP’s policies to expand their international reach. This includes exploiting the FTP’s zero-tariff policies on imported raw materials and equipment, which can lower production costs for Chongqing-based manufacturers who export through Hainan.

Data Flow and Digital Infrastructure

A critical component of the new cooperation involves the modernization of digital trade. As reported by chinanews.com.cn, Hainan is accelerating the construction of a cross-border data flow mechanism. This mechanism is designed to be efficient, convenient, and secure, addressing the complexities of data sovereignty and international privacy standards.

The establishment of this data mechanism is intended to support the digital economy by facilitating the seamless transfer of business data, financial records, and technical specifications between the FTP and its partner regions, including Chongqing. By reducing the barriers to data movement, the two regions aim to foster growth in services such as digital finance, remote healthcare, and smart logistics.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

The economic momentum of this cooperation is reflected in recent growth trends. Reports from Xinhua Net indicate an acceleration in economic activity within these open-trade zones during the first quarter of 2026. This growth is attributed to the increased flow of investment and the adoption of high-standard international trade rules within the FTP.

The partnership between Chongqing and Hainan is viewed as a model for how inland cities can benefit from the development of coastal free trade ports. By creating a direct link between the industrial capacity of the west and the policy advantages of the south, the two regions are working to build a more integrated network of open cooperation that supports broader national goals of trade liberalization and economic diversification.