SSTV:

Hainan has become a popular tourist spot during the first Spring Festival since the outbreak of the epidemic three years ago. What has been done by the Ministry of Commerce to support the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port over the last year? What upcoming measures will be taken to build Hainan into the world's most open free trade port? Thank you.

Yang Tao:

Thank you for your questions. The construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port has drawn wide attention. More than two years have passed since the Overall Plan for the Construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port was released. Over the past years, its construction has made smooth progress and the overall development has advanced swiftly but steadily and in an effective and orderly manner. In 2022, the Ministry of Commerce has focused on promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, giving priority to the critical task of launching an island-wide independent customs operation and fully supporting the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Our work mainly includes the following three aspects:

First, working with relevant departments, we have adopted a series of supporting policies and measures to accelerate the development of the Yangpu Economic Development Zone. We have issued documents such as opinions on promoting the high development of foreign culture trade, continuously improved the system of policies concerning trade and investment and advanced the implementation of relevant policies.  

Second, together with Hainan province, we have successfully hosted the second China International Consumer Products Expo, with a large increase in the number of exhibitors, including enterprises and brands, buyer attendance, and professional attendees from the first expo.

Third, we have released the "Report on the Development of Trade and Investment of the Hainan Free Trade Port," fully demonstrating the achievements in trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the Ministry of Commerce, together with relevant departments and Hainan province, have worked to achieve positive results in the development of trade and investment in the Hainan Free Trade Port. Last year, utilized foreign investment reached 24.44 billion yuan, up 7.1% year on year. The total trade volume in goods surpassed 200 billion yuan, an increase of 36.8% over the previous year. The open economy has maintained strong momentum for development. During the Spring Festival this year, there was strong demand and sufficient supply in Hainan's consumer market and its culture, tourism and catering sector boomed. All of this demonstrated the vitality of the Hainan Free Trade Port. 

Next, the Ministry of Commerce will fully implement the arrangement of "accelerating the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port" put forward in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress. Under the coordination and guidance of the leading group on deepening overall reform and opening-up of Hainan province, we will prepare for independent customs operation and conduct pressure tests. At the same time, we will implement relevant policies in the areas of trade and investment, study and formulate the list of goods prohibited and limited from importation and exportation of the Hainan Free Trade Port and host the third China International Consumer Products Expo to promote the development of an open economy in Hainan province and support the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port in constantly making new breakthroughs. Thank you!