Hainan’s Bold Move to Become Asia’s Cultural Hub: What This Means for China, Thailand, and Global Entertainment

Published on December 10, 2025

Hainan Province is leveraging its ambitious free trade port policies to drive the growth of its film and performance industries, positioning itself as a new gateway for international cultural exchanges. This strategic initiative aims to attract global talent, productions, and major events, creating a dynamic ecosystem that integrates entertainment, tourism, and economic development. The combination of tax incentives, streamlined regulations, and visa-free entry is transforming the province into a hub for creativity and innovation.

Officials and industry leaders point to the comprehensive advantages of Hainan’s policies, including zero tariffs, low tax rates, and measures to liberalize trade, investment, capital flows, travel, and data. This framework has already drawn significant attention from global talent and organizations. Hainan is not only encouraging international filmmakers and performers to engage with the island but also fostering long-term collaborations with other countries in the region.

The latest manifestation of this strategy occurred during the seventh Hainan Island International Film Festival, which concluded in Sanya on Tuesday. The festival marked a significant milestone by hosting the Chinese premiere of Avatar 3, one of the most anticipated films of the year. Hainan’s Party Secretary, Feng Fei, met with James Cameron, the director of the film, underscoring the province’s growing influence on the global entertainment stage.

Leveraging Tax Incentives and Visa-Free Entry to Attract Global Talent

One of the standout features of Hainan’s free trade port policies is the dual 15 percent cap on individual and corporate income tax. This tax structure is particularly attractive to high-income artists and cultural enterprises, offering a significant draw for global talent. Wang Dong, assistant to the chairman of Lingshui Yingli Wanxiang Digital Media Productions, which produces short dramas targeted at markets like Indonesia, highlighted the importance of this policy for international filmmakers and performers. Wang explained that these financial benefits make Hainan an appealing destination for both production companies and individual artists looking to maximize their earnings while engaging in the thriving cultural scene.

In addition to tax breaks, the visa-free entry policy that allows citizens from 59 countries to stay in Hainan for up to 30 days is another key incentive. This policy facilitates easy access for international crews, talent, and business visitors, who can come to the island for a range of purposes, including business, tourism, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports events. This liberalized entry policy is crucial for fostering cross-border collaboration, and it complements the free trade port’s broader goal of facilitating seamless movement of people and ideas.

A Growing Production Ecosystem: From Film to Live Performances

The Sea Breeze International Movie Studios, located in Lingshui Li Autonomous County, is a prime example of the burgeoning production ecosystem in Hainan. Since its opening in August 2024, the studio has hosted over 100 projects, ranging from short dramas to full-length films. This success showcases the island’s growing reputation as a center for international film production. As more studios and production companies set up in the region, Hainan’s cultural industry is expected to expand further, attracting more international projects and investment.

The Hainan Island International Film Festival also featured a Thailand pavilion, celebrating the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. This pavilion served as a platform for 14 Thai film companies to showcase their services, signaling a deepening of regional collaboration in the entertainment industry. Such international partnerships are integral to Hainan’s broader vision of becoming a central hub for cross-border cultural exchanges, with the film industry as a key player in this effort.

Hainan’s model extends beyond film production to include live performances, further enhancing its position as a cultural hotspot. For instance, Sanya recently hosted Travis Scott’s first major solo concert in China, which attracted over 40,000 international fans. The event was a direct beneficiary of Hainan’s visa-free entry policies, drawing fans from all over the world and generating an estimated 400 million yuan ($56 million) in local tourism spending. This event exemplified the province’s capacity to combine entertainment with tourism, with local hotels seeing a significant rise in occupancy rates in the lead-up to the concert.

Seamless Operations and Economic Benefits for Tourism and Retail

The successful organization of the concert was a testament to the efficient coordination of multiple government departments in Hainan. From customs processes, including the establishment of “green channels” for event equipment, to ensuring public safety during the performance, the streamlined operational framework promised by local officials was clearly demonstrated. Chen Zhi, general manager of Wuxing Shidai (Hainan) Cultural Communication Co., the organizer of the event, praised the efficiency of Sanya’s departments. He noted that the entire process, from project filing to event execution, showcased Hainan’s ability to manage large-scale events with minimal logistical hurdles.

This integrated approach to entertainment, tourism, and retail was exemplified by the experience of Park Ji-hoon, a South Korean fan, who used his concert ticket to redeem a shopping voucher at the China Duty Free Group’s Sanya International Duty Free City. Such initiatives highlight how Hainan is positioning itself as not just a destination for entertainment but also a place where tourism, shopping, and cultural experiences seamlessly merge. This synergy between concert-going, vacationing, and shopping encapsulates the broader vision for Hainan’s free trade port as a dynamic cultural and economic hub.

Building an International Tourism and Cultural Center

The newly enacted Hainan Free Trade Port Tourism Regulations, which came into effect on December 1, further solidify the province’s commitment to introducing international performing arts resources. These regulations aim to support Hainan’s goal of building an international tourism consumption center, further integrating the island’s cultural and economic activities. The policies are designed to make it easier to introduce international performers, encourage cultural exchanges, and promote global tourism.

By combining financial incentives, administrative ease, and the natural appeal of its tropical destination, Hainan is positioning itself as a major player in the global cultural landscape. With its free trade port policies serving as a cornerstone, Hainan aims not only to be an economic hub but also to become a dynamic stage for international cultural collaboration. The growth of both the film industry and live performance sectors is a key part of this vision, as the province continues to attract global talent and engage in meaningful cultural exchanges with countries around the world.

Conclusion: Hainan’s Rise as a Cultural and Economic Hub

Hainan’s innovative free trade port policies are positioning the island as a new center for international cultural exchanges. With a focus on the film and performance industries, the province is attracting global talent, productions, and major events through a combination of tax incentives, streamlined regulations, and visa-free entry. The success of events like the Hainan Island International Film Festival and major concerts highlights the island’s growing role in the global cultural scene. By integrating entertainment, tourism, and retail, Hainan is not only fostering economic growth but also creating a vibrant and dynamic environment for global collaboration and cultural engagement.