How China’s Hainan reinvented itself as Hong Kong’s rival and partner
Mar 20th 2026
Since creating a separate customs regime, Hainan is positioning itself as a low-tax regional hub and strategic partner to Hong Kong, blending competitive overlap with signals of closer cooperation.
- Hainan launched a separate customs regime three months ago as part of its free-trade port push.
- Officials say Hainan aims to be a gateway to the Chinese market and a 'super partner' to Hong Kong across industry chains, finance and tourism.
- Both Hainan and Hong Kong offer a corporate tax rate of 15 per cent and are positioned close to Southeast Asian markets.
- Hong Kong provides more than 70 per cent of Hainan's foreign investment and Hainan proposes a model of orders in Hong Kong, production in Hainan and sales worldwide.
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