The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued his visit to Hainan today (March 25) to meet and exchange views with leaders of Hainan Province and Haikou. He also visited a local high-tech enterprise and infrastructure facilities.
      
     In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, Mr Feng Fei, and the Governor of Hainan Province, Mr Liu Xiaoming, to exchange views on further strengthening Hong Kong's co-operation with Hainan. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Hainan signed the Hainan Provincial People's Government and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Memorandum of Cooperation last year, which covers areas including trade and investment, finance, tourism, talent exchange and so on, with a view to promoting broader, deeper and higher-level exchanges and co-operation. Economic and trade ties between the two places have further deepened. Last year, more than 790 Hong Kong enterprises were newly established in Hainan, and investment from Hong Kong in the province surpassed RMB18 billion, representing an increase of over 20 per cent year on year.
      
     Mr Lee said that this year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The full implementation of the island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port contributes to the country's efforts in fostering a new development landscape. The scope for co-operation between Hainan and Hong Kong, both free trade ports, is set to be enhanced. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to leverage Hong Kong's dual advantage of enjoying both national and global opportunities under the "one country, two systems" principle, and further promote collaborative development between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port. The Government has launched the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global. Through its cross-sector professional services platform, the Task Force supports Mainland enterprises, including those in Hainan, in going global and attracts overseas capital to Hong Kong, thereby jointly promoting the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and making greater contributions to the country's high-quality development and high-level opening up.
      
     Mr Lee later visited a high-tech enterprise in Haikou and was briefed by representatives of the enterprise on the latest developments and opportunities in its innovative and advanced technologies. Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the development of innovation and technology and emerging industries, and welcomes more enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong.
      
     Mr Lee then attended a luncheon hosted by Standing Committee Member of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Haikou Municipal Committee, Mr Fan Shaojun. Mr Lee said that Haikou, as the provincial capital and economic centre of Hainan Province, is vital to the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Hong Kong has long maintained close interactions with Haikou across various fields, and will continue to play its roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder". Mr Lee said he looks forward to deepening co-operation with Haikou in advancing high-quality development.
      
     Mr Lee then visited the centralised inspection site of the Xinhaigang and Nangang "Second-Line Port" in Haikou to learn about the infrastructure of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the actual operation of its customs operations. The centralised inspection site is the core infrastructure facility supporting the Hainan Free Trade Port's special customs operations. Built in accordance with national standards for water transport, it is the country's first centralised inspection facility jointly used by two ports, showcasing innovative practices of Hainan in advancing the development of the free trade port.
      
     Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest ports. Leveraging its status as a free port, speedy customs clearance and high efficiency, the Hong Kong port has earned its reputation as a "catch-up port". The HKSAR Government is continuously strengthening port operations and high value-added maritime services, promoting green port development, and building "Partner Port" relationships with the Mainland and Belt and Road regions to deepen engagement in the international shipping network, thereby further consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international maritime centre. He expressed confidence that Hong Kong, as a free port, and the Hainan Free Trade Port would complement each other's strengths and achieve mutual benefit in port and maritime development, jointly creating more opportunities.
      
     In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the organiser of the Boao Forum for Asia and the Hainan Provincial People's Government.
      
     Mr Lee will continue his visit tomorrow (March 26) and attend the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026.

Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:30

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