Core Viewpoint - The article addresses and debunks several rumors regarding the operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port, clarifying that the upcoming closure on December 18, 2025, will not hinder the movement of residents and that the development of the free trade port is a long-term process rather than an immediate completion [3][4]. Group 1: Rumor Clarifications - Rumor 1: The closure will make it inconvenient for mainland residents to travel to Hainan. Truth: The management of residents' movement will remain unchanged, with the closure primarily affecting the management of goods [3]. - Rumor 2: The closure signifies the completion of the free trade port. Truth: The closure is a significant milestone but not the endpoint; the full establishment of the free trade port is expected by 2050 [3]. - Rumor 3: Hainan will become a "tax haven." Truth: Hainan's tax policies are strictly regulated to promote the real economy, not to create a tax haven environment [3]. Group 2: Real Estate and Regulatory Environment - Rumor 4: Properties in Hainan will become "offshore assets." Truth: Hainan's real estate remains subject to domestic laws and policies, and measures will continue to prevent speculation while ensuring housing demand is met [4].

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing legal dispute regarding the offshore assets worth $1.8 billion left by the late founder of Wahaha Group, Zong Qinghou, continues in Hong Kong, with appeals filed by his daughter, Zong Fuli, against previous court rulings [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The hearing on September 26 focused on the appeal filed by Zong Fuli and Jian Hao following the court's ruling on August 1, which included five grounds for appeal related to the applicability of Hong Kong's High Court Ordinance [1]. - The court rejected Zong Fuli's appeal regarding the injunction and disclosure orders made on August 1 but allowed a stay on the disclosure order, meaning the defendants do not have to disclose the latest balance and asset flow of their HSBC account until the appeal is resolved [1][2]. - The three plaintiffs, who claim to be children of Du Jianying, are seeking to confirm their beneficial rights to the assets in Jian Hao Ventures Limited's HSBC account, which is estimated to hold approximately $1.8 billion as of May 31, 2024 [2][3]. Group 2: Asset Details - Jian Hao Ventures Limited, registered in the British Virgin Islands, was solely directed by Zong Qinghou before his death, and Zong Fuli has since taken over [2]. - The assets in the HSBC account primarily consist of bonds, fixed-income assets, and cash, which the plaintiffs assert were promised to them by Zong Qinghou [2][3]. - The plaintiffs are also requesting that Zong Fuli fulfill fiduciary duties regarding the trust assets and pay interest based on a principal of $2.1 billion, along with compensation for losses amounting to approximately $1.085 million [3].

Group 1 - The Hong Kong High Court is hearing a case regarding the offshore assets of Wahaha Group founder Zong Qinghou, valued at approximately $1.8 billion (around 12.8 billion RMB) [1][5] - The court rejected the appeal from the defendant, Zong Fuli, and her associated company JIANHAO Investment Limited, but allowed a temporary suspension of the disclosure order pending a new appeal to the appellate court [1][4] - The plaintiffs in the case are Zong Jichang, Zong Jieli, and Zong Jisheng, who are seeking to confirm their trust rights over the assets controlled by the defendant [3][7] Group 2 - The assets frozen by the Hong Kong High Court are believed to be related to a proposed offshore trust set up by Zong Qinghou, and the freezing order will remain until the final ruling from the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court and Zhejiang High People's Court [5][7] - Following Zong Qinghou's death in February 2024, disputes over the distribution of his estate, particularly the offshore assets, have arisen within the family [6][7] - Concurrently, a separate case is being heard in Hangzhou regarding a 24.6% stake in Wahaha held by the employee stock ownership plan, with former employees contesting a buyback agreement signed in 2018 [7]