Hainan Free Trade Port attracts growing Hong Kong, Macao youth talents amid booming opening-up dividends

A policy sharing event tailored for university students from Hong Kong and Macao was held in Haikou on July 18, offering targeted interpretations of the latest development policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Young participants actively raised questions covering vocational qualification recognition catalogues and entrepreneurship support measures for Hong Kong and Macao residents, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for engaging in the port’s construction and pursuing personal development in Hainan.

During the interactive session, young scholars from Hong Kong and Macao conducted in-depth exchanges on the implementation progress of Hainan’s port closure operation and emerging industrial opportunities brought by institutional opening-up. The full-scale closure operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port has continuously unlocked policy dividends and stimulated market vitality across all industrial sectors.

According to data released by the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, Hainan had registered 139,500 new enterprises by June 30, representing a year-on-year increase of 123.04%. The number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises reached 1,240, up 37.62% year on year. The province’s total foreign trade import and export volume hit 173.98 billion yuan, a year-on-year rise of 54.6%, with trade connections covering more than 220 countries and regions worldwide.

The maturing business environment and opening-up mechanisms have turned Hainan into a vibrant destination for young talents from Hong Kong and Macao, complementing its well-established ecological and tourism advantages. Young participants taking part in summer internships in Hainan have witnessed tangible transformations driven by the port’s institutional reforms.

Young talents from Hong Kong and Macao recognise that Hainan’s business landscape has become increasingly open after the closure operation, with enormous growth potential in tourism and other core industries. The province’s improving internationalisation and supporting industrial policies have created promising career and development space for young professionals.

The preferential 15% corporate and individual income tax policies exclusive to the Hainan Free Trade Port have further enhanced the region’s appeal to young workers. Professionals from Hong Kong and Macao believe their strengths in multilingual capabilities and specialised expertise can empower Hainan’s global development, while the port’s substantial policy incentives and industrial opportunities provide solid support for their long-term development in the province.

Hainan has rolled out a series of institutional arrangements to facilitate the development of Hong Kong and Macao youth in the region. Revised policies including the Opinions on Encouraging Talents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to Serve Hainan’s Development and the Implementation Rules for Supporting Hong Kong and Macao Youth in Employment and Entrepreneurship in Hainan have laid comprehensive support foundations for their internship, career development, business startup and daily life.

The Hainan Hong Kong and Macao Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Centre delivers one-stop integrated services for youth from the two regions. Serial brand activities including the Wave Chasing Programme, international youth talent exchange conferences and Hong Kong and Macao Innovation and Entrepreneurship Salons will continue to build diversified platforms for Hong Kong and Macao youth to participate in the high-quality development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.