On August 27, “Grab a Bite of the Free Trade Port - Hainan & ASEAN Culture and Food Exchange Fair” was held in ASEAN-China Centre in Beijing. Diplomatic envoys and media representatives from ASEAN countries including Indonesia were invited to attend the event, discussing friendship and promoting common development around the topic of “food”.

With the theme of “Grab a Bite of the Free Trade Port”, the event presented Hainan’s food culture, intangible cultural heritage and ASEAN’s food and traditional culture in the forms of food tasting, intangible cultural exhibition, food fair and exhibition on the achievements of Hainan Free Trade Port development. In a new form of food exchange, this event deepens Hainan-ASEAN cooperation in various areas.

At the event, guests were attracted by the diversified Hainan food and culture fair and fascinating Hainan traditional culture shows.

“It is a special experience for me to communicate with Hainan friends closely and understand the development and opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port,” as a Malaysian guest said. Participants could feel the special culture andinfinite vitality of Hainan Free Trade Port in a delightful way.

As introduced by an official from Hainan Foreign Affairs Office, the trade volume between Hainan and ASEAN in 2022 was RMB 39. 5 billion, which was a year-on-year growth of 58% and equivalent to 20% of the total trade-in-goods of Hainan. From January to July, the total import and export from Hainan to ASEAN stood at RMB 19.0 billion. ASEAN has already become Hainan’s largest trade partner and major investment destination. Hainan will use its strategic location as a gateway between two of the world’s most dynamic markets—Southeast Asia and Chinese mainland—to create a headquarters base for Chinese enterprises expanding into Southeast Asia and the international market, and a headquarters base for Southeast Asian and other international companies looking to tap into the Chinese market (referred to as the “Two Bases”). Thus, it is of special significance to build a window for deepening exchanges and cooperation between Hainan and ASEAN countries.

This event is co-sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, the ASEAN-China Centre, Embassy of Indonesia in China and the Hainan Broadcasting Group.