海南明起全岛封关！世贸组织点赞：中国送给世界的新年大礼

Core Viewpoint - The official launch of Hainan's free trade port on December 18 marks a significant transformation for the island, characterized by policy benefits and institutional innovation, positioning Hainan as a gateway between China and the global market [1][5]. Group 1: Trade and Economic Impact - The "first line of opening" effectively reshapes the trade landscape, with the customs boundary between Hainan and foreign countries nearly disappearing, allowing most imported goods to enter with zero tariffs and enabling "direct release" of goods [1]. - Tourists from 86 countries can enter Hainan visa-free, facilitating the flow of capital and personnel, thus making Hainan the thinnest barrier between mainland China and global markets [1]. - The "second line of control" is designed to prevent tax arbitrage, allowing tourists to purchase duty-free goods for personal use while restricting professional purchasing agents, thus maintaining a fair national market [3]. Group 2: Institutional Innovation - The establishment of the Hainan Free Trade Port Law transforms temporary benefits into long-term legal frameworks, serving as a "system pressure test" for China to explore how to align with international rules while safeguarding national security [5]. - Hainan is positioned as an "irreplaceable strategic pivot," transitioning from a transit point to a service hub for offshore trade, with significant trade settlement volumes already exceeding $10 billion [7]. Group 3: Societal Changes - The transformation is expected to enhance the lives of ordinary people, with high-tech companies creating job opportunities locally, reducing the need for migration to major cities [10]. - The expansion of the duty-free shopping list to include daily consumer goods and the introduction of international medical products and educational programs signify a shift towards a long-term, innovation-driven development model [10].