The Hainan Free Trade Port launched an international services portal on Monday, three days before the launch of its landmark island-wide special customs operations. The portal, en.hainan.gov.cn, centralizes information and streamlines services for expatriates and foreign-invested enterprises.

The timing coincides with the island province's push to increase accessibility as it reaches a key juncture in its development. The island-wide special customs operations, set to begin on Thursday, mark a significant phase in China's wider opening-up policy.

For the international community in Hainan, the portal addresses a long-standing need for consolidated, reliable information.

"I believe it represents the culmination of the many efforts to make Hainan more accessible for foreign nationals," said David Adrian Janke, an entrepreneur and translator from the United Kingdom. "I am glad that there is now a reliable platform that puts the breadth and depth of various aspects of living, working and doing business in Hainan at users' fingertips."

The multilingual portal features seven primary sections, including Dynamic Hainan, an introduction to the island province; Do Business, serving the FTP's goal of building a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment; and Online Services. It offers 44 high-demand service categories and 95 specific international service items, each with bilingual Chinese-English guides. Services accessible through a single login range from accommodation registration, work permits and medical appointments to visa-free policy details and driving services.

The portal was initially launched in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic. It integrates 29 provincial foreign-related business systems and links directly with Hainan's main e-governance platform, Haiyiban.

The portal's practical value quickly gained recognition among businesspeople. Jan Kerekes, a Slovak-Canadian working in international trade, noted a dramatic improvement in convenience. "Now, all procedures are centralized on the portal, and frequently used services such as enterprise registration and consular authentication can be completed through the portal," he said.

Kerekes added that easy access to updated policies and industrial park information saves a substantial amount of time and strengthens confidence for foreign investors.

Other international users pointed to its potential for deepening business engagement. South African entrepreneur Lara Netherlands, founder of an economic consulting firm, said she hopes to use the portal to gain detailed policy insights and "facilitate clients with tailored business plans and a soft landing in the Hainan FTP". She also anticipates efficient feedback from the portal's online email channels.

Zeeshan Qasim Khan, a Pakistani businessman, praised the portal. "This platform is of significant importance and is useful in our daily life. ... It's an exciting step forward in our shared vision for a more connected, responsive and inclusive future," he said.

The Hainan Provincial Department of Business Environment Development developed the portal in coordination with multiple provincial departments and China Daily.

At its launch event in Haikou, Liu Weiling, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, said that China Daily will commit to supporting the portal's development to set "a new benchmark for foreign-related services".

Local officials said the portal demonstrates China's commitment to wider economic openness. They said it will continue to be enhanced with a user-centered approach to attract more global talent and resources to the FTP.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn