Hainan aims to become hub for global cultural exchanges

Hainan province is leveraging its flagship free trade port policies to accelerate the growth of its film and performance industries, positioning the island as a new gateway for international cultural exchanges.

As it prepares for an island-wide special customs operation, officials and industry leaders say a combination of tax incentives, visa-free entry and streamlined regulations is drawing global talent, productions and major events.

The latest push was underscored at the seventh Hainan Island International Film Festival, which concluded in Sanya on Tuesday. The festival hosted the Chinese premiere of Avatar 3, and Hainan's Party secretary, Feng Fei, met the film's director, James Cameron.

Feng described the free trade port as "one of the most open areas in the Chinese mainland", citing its zero tariff rules, low tax rates, and measures to liberalize trade, investment, capital flows, travel and data. He positioned the festival as a key platform for deepening cooperation with international filmmakers.

For the industry, the concrete benefits are multifaceted. The dual 15 percent cap on individual and corporate income tax is a significant draw. "This policy is particularly friendly to high-income artists and cultural enterprises," said Wang Dong, assistant to the chairman of Lingshui Yingli Wanxiang Digital Media Productions, which produces short dramas for markets such as Indonesia.

Wang also pointed to Hainan's 59-country visa-free entry policy, which allows stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports events, making it easier to bring in international crews.

These policies are cultivating a budding production ecosystem. The Sea Breeze International Movie Studios in Lingshui Li autonomous county, operational since August 2024, has already hosted over 100 projects, from short dramas to movies.

The Hainan film festival also featured a Thailand pavilion, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China and Thailand diplomatic relations, with 14 Thai film companies showcasing services, signaling growing regional collaboration.

The model extends to live performances. Sanya hosted hip-hop star Travis Scott's first major solo concert in China last month, a direct beneficiary of the visa-free project. It attracted over 40,000 international fans and was projected to generate more than 400 million yuan ($56 million) in local tourism spending. Hotels in the area saw occupancy rates surge by over 15 percentage points in the preceding week, data from authorities showed.

The concert's organization demonstrated the operational efficiency officials promised. A multidepartment coordination team managed everything from customs "green channels" for equipment to public safety. "From project filing to landing, we felt the efficiency of Sanya's various departments throughout," said Chen Zhi, general manager of the event organizer, Wuxing Shidai (Hainan) Cultural Communication Co.

This integrated approach merges entertainment with tourism and retail. A South Korean fan, Park Ji-hoon, praised the seamless experience. "You can watch your idol's performance and enjoy an island holiday — it's perfect." He used his concert ticket to redeem a shopping voucher at the China Duty Free Group's Sanya International Duty Free City, illustrating the model of combining concert-going, vacation and shopping that Hainan promotes.

The overarching legal framework is being solidified with the Hainan Free Trade Port Tourism Regulations, which came into effect on Dec 1. They support introducing international performing arts resources, and eye the goal of building an international tourism consumption center. By combining financial incentives with administrative ease and a tropical destination appeal, Hainan aims to position its free trade port not just as an economic hub, but as a dynamic new stage for global cultural collaboration.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn