When Hainan's chocolates meet Fujian's coconut water, two distinct flavors of openness converge this spring. On one side, Hainan's island-wide customs closure under its free trade port policy allows imported raw materials to be processed with value-added exemptions from tariffs, making chocolates more affordable. On the other side, under the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" model, fresh Indonesian coconuts arrive in China within 24 hours via cross-border delivery. From the shores of the South China Sea to the eastern coastline, Hainan and Fujian are illustrating the same narrative through different approaches: China is opening its doors wider, allowing the sweetness of development to flow into everyday life.
This taste carries the fresh sweetness of the tropics! Meanwhile, another flavor offers a perfect blend of vanilla and smooth chocolate. At the China-Indonesia "Two Countries, Twin Parks," fresh coconuts harvested from Indonesian trees reach consumers in less than a day, processed into various coconut-based products. Following Hainan's customs closure, imported cocoa beans enter duty-free, resulting in more accessible chocolate prices. This represents not just the freshness of coconuts but also the sweetness of openness brought by the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" policy. Customs closure does not mean closing doors—it means inviting the world inside, bringing delicious flavors closer than ever. Today, we explore two distinct tastes of openness.
Trying Hainan's signature vanilla-flavored chocolate has become a new trend. One popular brand sells thousands of boxes daily, benefiting from Hainan's free trade port policy. Imported cocoa mass and cocoa powder processed in Hainan with over 30% value addition enjoy tariff exemptions. The impact has been significant: production schedules, previously planned quarterly, are now booked until June. Factory workers operate in two shifts to meet demand. This has allowed companies to achieve a 10% profit margin, reinvesting savings into research and development and accelerating new product launches twice as fast as before. Customs closure has reduced costs and unlocked new business opportunities.
Within just over two months of implementation, Hainan has reported robust results: 47,900 new market entities were established, a 30.15% year-on-year increase, with investments from 176 countries and regions. Imagine coconuts harvested from Indonesian trees arriving at a factory in Fuzhou, 3,000 kilometers away, in just over 20 hours. This efficiency stems from the unique "Two Countries, Twin Parks" policy. Indonesian coconuts benefit from dedicated customs channels, immediate inspections, and streamlined declaration processes, cutting clearance time by half. Companies operating within government-developed economic zones can focus on optimizing their industries, resources, and products, thanks to supportive policies.
The "Two Countries, Twin Parks" model represents a dynamic form of international production capacity cooperation. Two parks in two countries collaborate from the planning stage, complementing each other's strengths: Indonesia's park supplies raw materials and markets, while Fujian's park contributes technology and manufacturing facilities. Supported by tax, customs, logistics, and financial policies, cross-border cooperation continues to expand. For instance, freshly caught Indonesian tuna and white shrimp are processed in Fuqing into premium fish balls and tender shrimp paste. Fujian companies have also established textile production bases in Indonesia, filling gaps in the local high-end fabric market. Today, the Fuqing park hosts over 250 enterprises, generating nearly 30 billion yuan in output value.
As the National People's Congress convenes, the sweetness of openness is being shared with delegates. The greatest institutional advantage of the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" lies in bilateral collaboration and mutual commitment. Fujian is learning from Hainan's experience, particularly its "smart supervision + credit rating" model, which ensures strict yet efficient oversight. By adapting Hainan's practices to Indonesia-focused cooperation, Fujian aims to develop more efficient cross-border supervision. Meanwhile, Fujian's free trade zone explorations and Hainan's customs closure initiatives share a common goal: leveraging institutional innovation to channel the benefits of openness to enterprises.
Collaboration between Hainan and Fujian is already underway. For example, the Fujian-Hainan (Sanya) Cross-Border E-Commerce Base has been inaugurated, and Zijin Mining Group has established an international trade headquarters in Sanya. Moving forward, the two regions can further synergize their strengths: Hainan's value-added processing policies combined with Fujian's connectivity to Taiwan and ASEAN markets can position them as intermediaries in cross-border industrial chains. From Hainan's chocolates to Fujian's coconut water, institutional innovation is bringing opportunities home, allowing the sweetness of openness to enrich daily life. Whether through Hainan's proactive customs closure or Fujian's cross-national "Two Countries, Twin Parks" collaboration, these initiatives hold the key to development, pointing toward a China that continues to progress while embracing the world.
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