Former UN Secretary-General and Forum Chair Ban Ki-moon praised the construction of the Hainan Province Free Trade Port, calling it a bold initiative that requires vision and leadership. His statement came during the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum held within the context of the Boao Forum for Asia 2025.

Over the past seven years, Hainan has transformed its economy from tropical agriculture to advanced technological industries, while establishing itself as a global magnet for talent, capital, and resources, the official noted. He also criticized global trade restrictions, which have affected 11.8 percent of imports and 3.2 percent of global exports through October 2024, with no clear signs of abating in the short term.

At the same event, Hainan authorities presented an initiative aimed at ports and free trade zones worldwide, focused on promoting “five connectivities” to strengthen open cooperation and provide greater certainty for international trade: “soft connectivity” through the alignment of rules, regulations, standards, and policies; “hard connectivity” through the improvement of key infrastructure such as transportation, logistics, telecommunications, and energy; “Industrial connectivity,” with an emphasis on trade in services; “Green connectivity,” which prioritizes sustainable and low-carbon development; and “Smart connectivity,” through regular stakeholder dialogue and as a platform for bringing together government officials, business representatives, and experts.

For 23 years, topics such as innovation, health, culture, education, media, and economic security have been prominent on the expanded agenda of the Boao Forum, known as the Davos of Asia.

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