A new book on special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) was unveiled during a seminar in Beijing on Dec. 13.

Three versions of "Special Customs Operations in Hainan Free Trade Port 100 Q&As" are unveiled at the book's launch event and seminar in Beijing, Dec. 13, 2025. [Photo/CICG] 

Titled "Special Customs Operations in Hainan Free Trade Port 100 Q&As," the book is being released in three versions ahead of the launch of the special customs operations on Dec. 18. Its Chinese version is jointly published by People's Publishing House and Hainan Publishing House; the English edition by Foreign Languages Press and Hainan Publishing House; and the overseas edition by New Classic Press from the U.K. in collaboration with Hainan Publishing House.

Chang Bo, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said that the Recommendations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, calls for upgrading the country's pilot free trade zones and developing the Hainan FTP to high standards.

Chang Bo, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at the book launch event and seminar in Beijing, Dec. 13, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

"The imminent official launch of the special customs operations in the Hainan FTP fully demonstrates China's firm resolve and confidence in expanding high-level opening up, and reflects the practical essence of Chinese modernization, which adheres to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit," Chang said.

He praised the well-timed publication of the Chinese and English versions of the new book, as it is both a proactive response to the strategic deployment of the CPC Central Committee and an important policy reference for the international community.

"We will continue to share the compelling story of Hainan's reform and opening up with the world, fostering a more favorable and friendly environment for Hainan to build a world-class free trade port with Chinese characteristics," Chang said.

Zhang Zhenming, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, said the book provides responses to 100 hot-topic issues across 11 aspects related to the customs operations of the free trade port in a comprehensive manner. Presented in a clear, concise question-and-answer format and complemented by vivid images, informative diagrams, and links to additional content, the book helps readers better understand the core policies and development direction of the Hainan FTP.

Zhang Zhenming, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, speaks at the book launch event and seminar in Beijing, Dec. 13, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

He added that the regular mechanism for introducing the Hainan FTP would be improved to showcase the practice of building a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. 

Experts at the book launch participated in a seminar later to discuss the significance of the book's publication and the island-wide special customs operations.

A seminar is held for the new book "Special Customs Operations in Hainan Free Trade Port 100 Q&As" in Beijing, Dec. 13, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Wu Bin, chairman of Hainan Publishing and Distribution Group, said that the publisher strives to be a good storyteller of the free trade port, decoding the essence of the special customs operations through quality publications and contributing to a new chapter of opening up through cultural empowerment.

Wu revealed that to publish this book before the launch of the special customs operations, the publishing group mobilized its strongest resources and efficiently coordinated with multiple parties "This can also be seen as a microcosm of Hainan's ongoing efforts to build a more influential international communication system and comprehensively enhance the effectiveness of its global outreach," he noted.

Lu Cairong, vice chairman of the Publishers Association of China, said that the publication of this book in Chinese and English, which carries the latest development story of China, is not only a significant gift for the launch of the special customs operations, but also a clear demonstration of the efficient collaboration and pursuit of excellence within China's publishing industry.

"We must use this book as a vehicle to more fully tell the story of the Hainan FTP's development and China's continuous advancement of high-level opening up, thereby steadily enhancing the international understanding and recognition of Hainan province and China," Lu said.

Guo Yiqiang, president of the Chinese Society of Book Review, said that the book combines policy relevance, knowledge, and readability, making it an important and accessible theoretical reference.

The book's author representative Xiong Anjing, and the English version's editing expert David Ferguson, shared their insights from the perspectives of creation and translation at the seminar. 

Ferguson, honorary chief English editor of Foreign Languages Press, said he was honored to participate in the editing and polishing of the English translation and to witness the book's release. He noted that the Hainan FTP is a crucial cornerstone of China's strategy for high-level opening up, and the book serves both as a crucial policy guide to the special customs operations and as a useful handbook for living and working on the island. He affirmed the book's clear Q&A framework for interpreting policies, which can more effectively introduce Hainan's innovative practices and broad prospects to the world.

Additionally, a number of experts from the publishing field analyzed the publication's value and significance from different perspectives at the seminar.

Experts share their thoughts and insights at the book launch seminar in Beijing, Dec. 13, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Ye Zaichun, deputy director of the Publicity and Public Opinion Research Center of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said the book provides systematic explanations on key issues regarding the port's special customs operations and enhances communication effectiveness through accessible presentation.

Li Zhong, chairman of China Press and Publishing Media Group, said that the book is a "golden key" to interpreting the special customs operations, serving not only as a vehicle for policy communication but also a practical guide and a bridge for building consensus.

Sheng Mingfu, executive president of the China Association of Policy Science, said the book is a key to interpreting, understanding, and participating in the development of the Hainan FTP and the new round of high-level opening up. Moreover, it also helps readers understand the strengths of China's institutional system and the synergy between the "visible hand" of state planning and the "invisible hand" of the market, Sheng said.

The three versions of the book "Special Customs Operations in Hainan Free Trade Port 100 Q&As" are on display at a launch event and seminar in Beijing, Dec. 13, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Experts and scholars from the economic field also engaged in deep discussions on the policy innovations and future development prospects of the special customs operations in the Hainan FTP.

Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, said the special customs operations mark a new stage in China's institutional opening. This is not only a significant milestone in Hainan's economic and social development, but also an important measure for China to accelerate the building of an open world economy and strengthen its international competitive advantages, Zhao said.

Ye Fujing, director of the Scientific Research Department at the China Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said that the Hainan FTP is a benchmark and model for China's high-level, institutional, autonomous, and service-sector-focused opening up. The core significance of the book lies in building consensus, disseminating knowledge, guiding practice, and sharing experience, paving the way for the smooth advancement of major national strategies.

Wang Wen, dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, said that the international communication of China's high-quality development and high-level opening up in the new era needs to focus on analyzing and presenting local development and major case studies. The Hainan FTP is undoubtedly a crystallization of local reform and a classic tale of opening up in China's new era, Wang said.