China News Service:

What specific measures has the Hainan FTP taken in terms of institutional innovation? How will it create more iconic achievements that distinguish it as an FTP in the future? Thank you.

Guan Jirong:

After several years of unremitting efforts, Hainan has achieved remarkable results in institutional integration and innovation. It has launched 16 batches of 140 innovation cases and gradually established a more mature working mechanism.

First, we have maintained coordination between the provincial government and central ministries. We have paid more attention to top-level design, strived for in-depth participation and strong support from relevant ministries, and jointly promoted 10 key innovation tasks. For example, the "five-in-one" intellectual property rights and the application of real-world data in medical insurance are at the forefront of the country. Second, we have benchmarked against high-standard economic and trade rules. We have implemented RCEP and further promoted 20 action measures. We have aligned with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and conducted pilot projects in areas such as certification, accreditation and market entity registration. We have also coordinated with the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) and started the formulation of a digital trade development plan. Currently, remarkable results have been achieved. Total trade in goods between Hainan province and RCEP member states achieved double-digit growth in 2023, and the total service trade volume doubled during the same year. Third, we have focused on key areas. We have planned and promoted a series of institutional integration and innovation initiatives centered around the policies and rules of the "five liberalizations and facilitation s, and the secure and orderly flow of data (the liberalization and facilitation of the flow of trade, investment, cross-border capital, personnel and transportation)." For example, we have implemented the full-process supervision model for "zero-tariff" imported goods, a traceability code management system for offshore duty-free goods, the "Yangpu Port in China" ship registration system," and "credit plus" approval services.

These institutional innovations have further stimulated the development vitality of the Hainan FTP and have played a positive role in enhancing its international competitiveness. For example, we launched China's first "single-window" system for international investment, achieving the goal of requiring only a single visit to register and establish an enterprise. The number of forms and documents required by enterprises has been reduced by 55%, and the approval process time has been cut by 70%. Additionally, a number of institutional innovation achievements have also been explored and established in areas of foreign-related lawyer services, international commercial dispute resolution, and the joint review and inspection of foreign nationals' work and residence permits.

Next, we will prioritize institutional integration and innovation as key approaches to create more remarkable achievements. First, we will focus on independent customs operation s and promote institutional integration. With no existing models to draw from, especially in the supervision of "second line" ports, we propose basic strategies such as "minimizing customs clearance time and the clearance processes , categorized supervision, smart supervision, and credit supervision." We must explore and establish a sound and efficient operating model through extensive institutional innovation. Second, we will focus on institutional opening-up through pilot projects. With greater determination and effort, we aim to align with high-standard international economic and trade rules. We will focus on building "two headquarters bases," "two networks," and "two hubs" and accelerating exploration in areas such as improving property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit management. Third, we will concentrate on reforming and improving institutions in key areas. We will adopt a problem-oriented approach and swiftly address bottlenecks restricting Hainan's high-quality development. For example, to improve the business environment, we will strengthen the concept of "integrated government" and effectively solve problems in market access, resource acquisition, fair law enforcement, and the protection of rights and interests. This will provide companies with confidence and accelerate the development of a business environment based on the rule of law, internationalization and facilitation. Thank you.