"My journey of education and entrepreneurship began in Hainan, spanned across the Pacific, and ultimately led me back to Hainan. After many years away from home, I returned to my hometown a year and a half ago and witnessed the tremendous changes on this land, which solidified my resolve to contribute to the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port," said Xian Huina, President of the Hainan Chamber of Commerce in Washington State, USA.

The World Hainan Youth Forum was held in Guangzhou on December 3rd. (Photo provided by the Hainan Association of Guangdong)

The sub-forum of The 17th Congress of the World Federation of Hainanese Associations — the World Hainan Youth Forum — was held in Guangzhou on the afternoon of December 3rd. Young Hainanese leaders from around the world and youth representatives from Hainan gathered to discuss new opportunities for the integrated development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

Xian Huina explained that the Hainan Chamber of Commerce in Washington State, USA, has been working hard to build a resource platform to provide services for the construction, development, and investment attraction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. She is very optimistic about the development of Hainan and plans to create an industrial park project in Wenchang, Hainan, focusing on agarwood, combining traditional Hainanese craftsmanship with modern biotechnology.

Chen Songhui, the Executive Vice President of the Guangdong Private Enterprises Chamber of Commerce, believes that The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Hainan have many complementary advantages. Especially, the tax exemption policy for processing in the Hainan Free Trade Port that adds over 30% in value brings tangible benefits to businesses. He encourages young entrepreneurs to embrace a daring spirit, use innovation as their driving force, and find their niche in the tide of development.

Zhang Yunian, the Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Hainan Youth Association, has been supporting the educational cause in his hometown Hainan since 2021. With the support of the Hainan education department, he initiated the "Silk Project," a charitable activity that integrates "digital education resources, teacher training, and teaching research."

He said that young people who are dreamers, entrepreneurs, professionals, and willing to take responsibility should come to Hainan to explore opportunities. In the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, opportunities abound. "The future challenge of building the Hainan Free Trade Port is its diversity, requiring a convergence of wisdom from all over the world to collectively brainstorm and build a new Hainan."

"Hainanese youth are willing to promote communication and cooperation between Hainan and the world," said Huang Zicai, Executive Vice Chairman of the Hainan Countrymen General Association of Macao. He noted that the overseas Chinese community from Hainan has always valued education, producing many second and third-generation overseas Chinese with overseas study experience and proficiency in "two languages and two dialects (Chinese, English, Cantonese, and Hainanese)." Outstanding young Hainanese from various regions can serve as a potential talent reserve for Hainan.

"The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port represent a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for our generation. The more a field requires the connection of international resources and experiences, the more it can break through and excel," said Yang Quanquan, a member of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Yang Quanquan, who has conducted multiple inspections of key zones in the Hainan Free Trade Port, always keeps a close eye on the development of her hometown. She believes that the Hainan Free Trade Port has its own policy benefits and developmental advantages. However, it is also essential to ensure interconnectivity with other markets, plan for differentiated development with various urban clusters, and particularly strengthen and supplement any weak links in the industrial chain. The experience and achievements of The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area can serve as valuable references for Hainan.