Hainan Free Trade Port Launches TCM Inbound Consumption & 2026 TCM Cultural Benefit Event

       On April 13, 2026, the "New Blue Ocean of TCM Consumption, New Chapter of International Cooperation" The Launch of the Inbound Consumption of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hainan Free Trade Port & the 2026 Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Benefit for the People Event was successfully held in Haikou City. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province, the Health Commission of Hainan Province, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, the Hainan Provincial Administration for Market Regulation, the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hainan Province, and the Haikou Municipal Health Commission, and hosted by the Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Communication Association. Also in attendance were relevant leaders, experts, scholars, representatives of pharmaceutical enterprises, and media journalists from both within and outside the province.

Zhang Xiaoliang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services, Ministry of Commerce

       Zhang Xiaoliang delivered a speech. He pointed out that current attention from both domestic and international social media to the Chinese lifestyle and development achievements continues to grow. The visa-free entry policy has further fueled an international "China Travel" boom, creating a rare historical opportunity and a favorable external environment for the development of inbound TCM consumption. He noted that the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port is advancing steadily and vigorously, with policy dividends accelerating and the effects of policy synergy becoming increasingly evident. Hainan has become a desired destination for international tourists seeking health, wellness, and a better life experience. Looking ahead, the Department of Trade in Services will thoroughly implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, promote the coordinated development of TCM services trade and inbound consumption, strengthen the global market expansion and cultural dissemination of TCM, and strive to achieve high-quality development in services trade and services consumption through the "small but focused entry point" of TCM services. At the same time, it will support Hainan in continuously building an international, high-quality consumption environment, providing a "Hainan Solution" for the integrated development of TCM and modern wellness tourism to the world, and continuing to polish the "golden brand" of inbound TCM consumption.

Lu Wei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province

       Lu Wei stated that the Hainan Free Trade Port boasts abundant tourism resources as well as rich resources in southern Chinese medicine and Li ethnic medicine. It has been designated as a national base for TCM service exports. Additionally, the province enjoys policy advantages such as visa-free access for citizens of 86 countries, the dual 15% income tax policy preference, zero-tariff policies, and low tax rates, all of which create exceptionally favorable conditions for inbound TCM consumption. In recent years, Hainan has been accelerating the implementation of the Three-Year Action Plan for Accelerating the High-Quality Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry in Hainan Province. It has also been actively strengthening information sharing, policy coordination, and model exchange with other provinces and regions such as Tianjin and Xinjiang. Looking ahead, Hainan will advance pilot work pragmatically in three key areas: enhancing policy implementation, deepening industrial integration, and optimizing the business environment. The goal is to translate policy dividends into tangible development outcomes and contribute wisdom and strength to the integrated development of the national TCM service trade.

       Li Peng, Director of the Division of Service Trade, Department of Commerce of Hainan Province

At the event, the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province officially released the Pilot Implementation Plan for the Integrated Development of Service Trade in "Inbound Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Consumption" in Hainan Province. The plan establishes a comprehensive ecosystem for inbound TCM consumption, covering multiple dimensions including policy support, industrial linkage, cultural dissemination, and wellness consumption. Li Peng provided a detailed interpretation of the plan. He stated that through the deep integration of traditional TCM culture with the open advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Hainan will offer the world a new paradigm for the integrated development of TCM and modern wellness tourism.

    Fan Pingjie, Vice President of the Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Communication Association (left); Li Qingxin, Signing Representative of the Tianjin Medical and Pharmaceutical Association Management Office (right)

       During the strategic cooperation signing ceremony, representatives from the Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Communication Association and the Tianjin Medical and Pharmaceutical Association Management Office jointly signed the Qiong (Hainan)-Tianjin Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The two parties will engage in in-depth cooperation in areas such as inbound medical services, TCM brand promotion, and TCM cultural dissemination, working together to advance the internationalization of TCM services trade. This signing marks a profound integration of TCM expertise and resources between northern and southern China and serves as an important manifestation of the integration of TCM culture and industry under the platform of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

       To allow the public to experience the charm of Traditional Chinese Medicine culture more intuitively, a variety of cultural experience activities were specially arranged at the event. Doctors from the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hainan Hospital) led the participants in practicing Baduanjin, a traditional health-preserving exercise. To the soothing music, the doctors performed the movements with smooth grace and a perfect balance of strength and gentleness. The guests eagerly followed along, experiencing in practice the comfort and tranquility of unobstructed Qi and blood flow, while gaining a deeper appreciation of the health philosophy of "unity of heaven and humanity."

      Doctors from multiple TCM hospitals across the province — including Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hainan Hospital) (Hainan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine — along with numerous pharmaceutical companies and TCM cultural product vendors, offered citizens a one-stop TCM cultural experience. Citizens were able to communicate face-to-face with TCM doctors, consult on health issues, and obtain professional medical advice. They could also learn about the latest R&D achievements in TCM products at pharmaceutical booths and select creative TCM cultural products at vendor stalls. In addition, interactive activities such as tuina (TCM massage) experiences, DIY sachet making, and TCM-themed perler bead crafts allowed citizens to gain a deeper appreciation of the profound and extensive nature of TCM culture. Volunteers from Hainan University also actively participated, providing guidance, consultation, and other volunteer services, contributing their youthful energy to the smooth and orderly execution of the event.

       With the successful holding of this event, a new chapter has begun for inbound TCM consumption in the Hainan Free Trade Port. It not only showcases the innovative achievements and development potential of the Hainan Free Trade Port in the field of TCM service trade but also provides an important platform for exchange and cooperation within the global TCM industry. In the future, Hainan will continue to leverage its own advantages, strengthen cooperation and exchanges with domestic and international counterparts, promote TCM service trade to go global, and contribute further to the building of a global community of health for all.