Xinhua News Agency, Stockholm, December 17, exclusive interview: Hainan will become a new hot spot for global industrial development — an interview with Askari, Deputy Director of the Swedish “the Belt and Road” Research Institute
In a recent interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency, Hussain Askari, Deputy Director of the Swedish “the Belt and Road” Research Institute, said that Hainan Free Trade Port is about to start the island wide customs closure operation, which means that the coverage of “zero tariff” goods has been greatly expanded, and tourism, modern services, high-tech industries, etc. have been further liberalized, which will enhance the regional strategic position and economic growth at multiple levels, and promote Hainan to become a new hot spot for the development of global innovation industries and services.
Hainan Free Trade Port will officially launch the island wide lockdown on the 18th. This is a landmark measure of China’s unwavering commitment to expanding high-level opening-up and promoting the construction of an open world economy. Ascari said that in recent years, the import and export of goods and the actual utilization of foreign capital in Hainan have maintained rapid growth, fully demonstrating the benefits brought by China’s policy of expanding opening up.
Ascari has long studied China and is familiar with Chinese history. He said that Hainan has historically been a must pass for Arab countries and Indian Ocean coastal merchants to trade along the “Maritime Silk Road” to the southeastern coastal areas of China. That place is full of history and cultural heritage, it’s very special. I really want to go and see it myself
Ascari believes that compared to globally renowned free ports and free zones such as Singapore and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Hainan has a series of unique advantages. Not only is it larger in size, but it also relies on the huge market of China, the world’s second-largest economy. China has the world’s largest and most complete industrial system and supply chain, which can supply high-quality products and equipment to Hainan. At the same time, the continuously growing super large scale consumer market is also the source of vitality for the prosperity of Hainan Free Trade Port
At the same time, Hainan has obvious geographical advantages, close to China’s major economic and trade partners such as ASEAN, and is located in the most dynamic zone of global production, consumption, and innovation, with sufficient development potential in the future.
In Ascari’s view, Hainan Free Trade Port is a microcosm of China’s continuous expansion of opening-up. He said that the Hainan Free Trade Port embodies China’s open, predictable, and transparent institutional framework, aimed at providing support for the free and orderly flow of people, goods, and capital, and creating a more fair and predictable global competitive environment.
In the current complex international environment, trade protectionism and anti globalization are on the rise. Ascari appreciates China’s open attitude of courage, responsibility, and active innovation. He looks forward to the development of Hainan Free Trade Port showing the world how to create new opportunities in a changing world. China’s growth and opening-up are a gift to the world. The Chinese plan for common development and prosperity among countries is a very important inspiration for many countries, especially Western countries