SANYA /China/, November 30. /TASS/. Sanya in South China's Hainan Province is actively developing its congress and exhibition industry, Sanya Daily reports.

According to the newspaper, the Department of Commerce together with the city's Finance Department, recently approved measures to encourage market participants to hold more exhibitions and conferences, including international events. Congresses and exhibitionions are a powerful driving force in the development of both the city's foreign trade and the regional economy, they have a positive impact on Sanya's image and recognition, promote international exchanges and cooperation, as well as the development of other economic sectors, including tourism, agriculture, logistics, medical services industry, the paper stated.

A total of 2,622 exhibition events were held in Sanya in 2023, 76 of which attracted more than 1,000 participants, according to the report. It is emphasized that these events have played an important role in promoting the city's economic growth, expanding market consumption, as well as developing trade relations.

Not only does Sanya have a welcoming climate and unique nature, the city also has all the necessary infrastructure for holding events, the paper said. There are dozens of major international branded hotels to be used for exhibitions and conferences as well as business meetings and negotiations. The city also has several exhibition centers and a sports stadium, according to the publication. Sanya is actively engaged in developing the yachting industry as well.

According to Sanya Daily, the measures taken to stimulate the exhibition industry also include financial support, primarily by offering bonuses to the organizers of exhibitions and conferences. The amount of the payments will depend on the size and duration of the events, the newspaper noted.

On June 1, 2020, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China published a program for the establishment of a free trade port in Hainan. The document provides for the development of a special customs zone on this tropical island. The PRC authorities plan to complete the construction of a free port on the territory of the province in 2025, which is when a system of free trade and investment will be established on the island. By 2035, Hainan plans to ensure freedom of trade and investment, cross-border movement of capital, travel and transportation of goods.