Reference News Network, December 29 report: The website of "The Daily Pakistan" published an article titled "Hainan 2025 and a New Model of China's Open Economy" on December 27. The author is Imran Khalid. The following is an excerpt from the article:

The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was a milestone in opening up China's reform and opening-up era. On December 18, marking the 47th anniversary of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the Chinese authorities have clearly defined the exclusive management boundaries for Hainan Island. The launch of the full-island customs clearance operation is not merely a technical adjustment to trade routes, but a carefully considered geopolitical statement. In this era, where Western traditional advocates of globalization have retreated to subsidies and tariff barriers, China is attempting to create a gateway in the South China Sea with a completely different operational logic.

The timing of Hainan's customs clearance is as important as its geographical location. In recent years, "decoupling" and "de-risking" have been central topics in global economic discussions. The mainstream view in Washington and Brussels holds that the era of deep economic integration has come to an end, giving way to a more fragmented world composed of competing trade groups. However, by transforming Hainan into a large-scale free trade port, the Chinese authorities are betting that the world's desire for market access still far exceeds the political will to isolate itself.

The design of the new regulatory mechanism in the Hainan Free Trade Port aims to test the limits of institutional openness within the framework of the socialist market economy.

Hainan's transformation carries a dual mission. First, it is a clear effort by China to consolidate the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and the thriving China-ASEAN trade. By positioning Hainan as a bridge connecting Southeast Asia with the heartland of China, the Chinese authorities are reinforcing their position as a core engine of regional economic development. If this vision succeeds, Hainan will become a testing ground for the high-standard trade rules needed for China's eventual accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Additionally, China is trying to interpret its maritime presence through the lens of win-win cooperation and common development by emphasizing blue partnerships and ocean governance. The core message conveyed by Hainan's customs clearance is that the South China Sea should be a stage for trade, not a battlefield for conflict.

From many perspectives, Hainan is the ultimate pilot project for China's next phase of economic development. China's growth model is gradually shifting towards high-tech innovation and modern service industries. If this experiment is successful, the Hainan model may eventually be expanded to other parts of China, marking a broader wave of China's opening-up.

Considering the broader international context, the significance of the Hainan Free Trade Port project becomes even more prominent. We are living in an era of deep disillusionment with the liberal international order. In the United States, both parties have regarded protectionism as a tool to safeguard national security; in Europe, countries have launched a wave of anti-subsidy investigations to maintain industrial competitiveness. In this international landscape, China is taking on the role of a defender of an open world economy in an unexpected manner. The Chinese authorities emphasize the need to inject "certainty" into this uncertain world. (Translated by Lin Zhaohui)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7589145530082312758/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.