On July 17, 2025, the “Shared New Opportunities in Free Trade and Embracing the New Future of Fujian-Hainan Cooperation” conference was successfully held in Xiamen. The event was organized by the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee and the Sanya Municipal People's Government. Julia Zhang, Partner at Haiwen Law Firm, was invited as a guest at the roundtable forum, where she delivered expert insights on Hainan Free Trade Port policy innovations, cross-border investment practices, and key issues concerning businesses going overseas. Her contributions aim to help enterprises in both Fujian and Hainan capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Free Trade Port and expand international cooperation.

The conference brought together over 150 government leaders from Hainan and Fujian, financial institutions, leading enterprises, and think tank experts, focusing on the integration of Free Trade Port policies with industrial development, and promoting a “Dual-Engine” cooperation driven by the "Maritime Silk Road + Free Trade Port" initiative.

During the roundtable forum, Julia, drawing from Haiwen’s deep involvement in the legal framework construction of Hainan Free Trade Port and decades of cross-border investment experience, provided an in-depth analysis from three perspectives: policy interpretation, business concerns, and risk management. She emphasized that the Hainan Free Trade Port, with its advantages of “zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system,” as well as its policies on the “five freedoms and conveniences,” such as the dual 15% corporate income tax rate, exemption on overseas investment income, and one-time registration of foreign debt, provides a solid institutional guarantee for cross-border investment and financing. Haiwen has been deeply involved in the development of several systems within the Free Trade Port, including the Hainan QDLP/QFLP system, helping multiple businesses optimize their cross-border structures through the Free Trade Port.

The stability and feasibility of policies are central concerns for businesses. Under the “first-line liberalization, second-line control” framework, enterprises must balance risks in customs, foreign exchange, and cross-border data compliance. Julia advised companies to adopt a "regulatory red-line thinking" approach, gradually raising their compliance standards. Using practical case studies, she explained how issues such as US-China trade friction, geopolitical risks, and cultural differences impact cross-border investments. She emphasized the vital role that professional intermediaries play in cross-cultural communication and suggested that Chinese enterprises should choose lawyers with an international perspective to avoid deal disruptions due to inadequate intermediary capabilities.

For over 30 years, Haiwen has consistently been at the forefront of China's opening up to the outside world, leveraging its professional strength to safeguard the global development of enterprises.