With the global economy navigating geopolitical fractures and mounting uncertainty, the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 delivered a unified message of strategic openness.

"Openness brings development, cooperation makes the future," said Mu Hong, China's chief representative to the BFA and vice-chairman of the BFA, setting the tone for the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum, a BFA sub-event where international leaders and experts underscored the critical gateway role of FTPs in global collaboration.

Themed "Free Trade Ports: Opportunities and Missions as Gateways for Opening-up", the forum welcomed over 500 participants on Tuesday.

Mu emphasized that Hainan FTP's development represents a global opportunity. The FTP is actively building global networks in ports, aviation and logistics while aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules.

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, described the SAR and Hainan as complementary engines for free trade.

"In a time of increasing global volatility, Hong Kong firmly chooses openness over isolation," said Lee, adding that he believes the two regions will see prosperous cooperative results.

Feng Fei, Party secretary of Hainan, said that just under 100 days into the special customs operations, the FTP is already showing early results, from policy dividends to increased flows of goods and people. Feng proposed the establishment of closer coordination mechanisms to align rules, regulations and standards — a move expected to lead the way in institutional openness.

New opportunities in digital infrastructure emerged as a key theme at the forum. Jonathan Choi Koonshum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, suggested building a digital FTP in Hainan, leveraging its cost-effective power and data infrastructure to serve Hong Kong and ASEAN markets with affordable computing and artificial intelligence services.

George Yong-Boon Yeo, former foreign minister of Singapore, and visiting scholar at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, reframed Hainan's geographic position as a strategic asset.

"Historically seen as a distant tropical beach, Hainan is actually at the northern edge of the South China Sea — a link between China and Southeast Asia," he said, pointing to cultural and historical ties that make the island province a natural bridge for regional peace and cooperation.

Holger Bingmann, vice-chairman of the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce, said FTPs like Hainan should serve not only as entry points for Western companies, but also as launch pads for Chinese firms entering Europe.

Jack Perry, chairman of The 48 Group Club, credited Hainan's development to its institutional and geographic strengths, along with the stability it offers global partners.

"From a value and supply chain perspective, Hainan's growth, potential to support businesses, and ability to deliver corporate revenue gains and cost savings make it a critical focus for companies," Perry said.

Hainan's development is part of a broader transition in China, from openness based on factor mobility to institutional openness grounded in rules and standards, said Cao Yuanzheng, visiting professor of management practice, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University.