Singapore and Hainan: A Partnership for Free Trade Development

On March 26, 2026, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met with Hainan Party Secretary Feng Fei at the Boao Forum for Asia, emphasizing Singapore's commitment to supporting the development of Hainan as a free trade port. Wong stated, “Singapore has long supported the development of this free trade port, and will continue to provide whatever support we can for its success.” He highlighted the importance of free trade, noting that Singapore's success as a free trade port is linked to the global expansion of such initiatives.

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Hainan, which began independent customs operations on December 18, 2025, is the first province in China designated as a free trade port. This status allows most international goods to enter Hainan tariff-free, creating a separate customs boundary from the rest of China. Feng acknowledged the need for Hainan to catch up with established ports like Singapore's Yangpu, which handles significantly more cargo annually. However, he pointed out Hainan's potential as a gateway for foreign firms to access China's vast domestic market, similar to Singapore's role in Southeast Asia.

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During the discussions, Wong and Feng identified areas for collaboration, particularly in renewable energy and digital economy initiatives. Hainan's development of offshore wind power presents opportunities for Singapore, which has limited land for data centers, to explore establishing facilities in Hainan. Wong noted that discussions on a digital economy agreement between Singapore and China are underway, emphasizing the mutual benefits of cooperation.

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In a broader context, Wong addressed the increasing uncertainty in the global environment, marked by geopolitical rivalries and challenges to multilateralism. He asserted that China plays a critical role in shaping a resilient global order, contributing to regional prosperity through initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative. Wong expressed that China’s growing economic capabilities position it to lead in technological advancements and support open, rules-based trade.

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He pointed out that the current geopolitical shifts necessitate a focus on resilience and security in the global economy. Wong advocated for flexible cooperation among like-minded partners, citing trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as examples of effective collaboration.

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Ending his remarks, Wong urged nations to choose cooperation over rivalry, stating, “If we choose well, Asia can continue to be a source of stability, dynamism, and hope for the world.” This sentiment underscores the potential for Singapore and Hainan to forge a strong partnership that not only benefits their respective economies but also contributes to regional stability and growth.

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• “Singapore has long supported the development of this free trade port, and will continue to provide whatever support we can for its success,” — Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore

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• “We can drift towards rivalry and fragmentation. Or we can choose cooperation and openness. If we choose well, Asia can continue to be a source of stability, dynamism, and hope for the world.” — Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore

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• “Here in Hainan, the free trade port stands as a concrete example of China’s commitment to openness. We hope China will continue in this direction – supporting open markets, and strengthening confidence in a predictable and stable global trading system.” — Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore

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There are no conflicting reports or significant gaps in the information provided regarding the cooperation between Singapore and Hainan. The details presented are consistent across the sources.

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