Hainan's First! Sanya's First Hainan Free Trade Port Cross-border Fund Centralized Operation Center Lands in Sanya CBD

Recently, the Hainan Provincial Local Financial Supervision and Administration Bureau, in conjunction with relevant departments, officially recognized and established the first three cross-border fund centralized operation centers in the Hainan Free Trade Port. Zijin International Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Zijin Holdings) has successfully obtained approval, making it the first officially approved enterprise in Sanya City. This successful approval signifies a new breakthrough for Sanya in facilitating the free and convenient flow of cross-border funds and serves as a model for other enterprises seeking to participate in international competition and cooperation.

In October 2020, Zijin Mining Group invested CNY 2 billion in Sanya Central Business District to establish Zijin International Holdings Co., Ltd. as the group's international operational headquarters, responsible for global trade, investment, and talent service layout. It has long been rooted in Sanya's pragmatic operation and its business has grown year by year, ranking fourth among the top 100 enterprises in Hainan. By integrating international and domestic circulation, large-scale trade with large-scale finance, and non-ferrous metals with international trading platforms, Zijin Holdings has achieved overseas investment filings exceeding CNY 27 billion through its Hainan investment platform. Its overseas projects span countries such as Argentina, Peru, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Mongolia, while domestic investment has exceeded CNY 20 billion. To date, building on Zijin Holdings's foundation, Zijin Mining has invested in and established 14 companies in the Hainan Free Trade Port, with a total registered capital exceeding CNY 23 billion.

The recognition of a cross-border fund centralized operation center will enable enterprises to fully leverage the various policy benefits of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It will facilitate the efficient collection and free allocation of funds both within and outside China through multi-functional free trade accounts (EF accounts), significantly reducing exchange costs and time differences. Leveraging the preferential policies of Hainan Free Trade Port, such as "zero tariffs and low tax rates," enterprises will benefit from more favorable tax arrangements for cross-border investment and financing, profit repatriation, and simplified foreign exchange registration procedures. Furthermore, they can centrally manage cross-border fund pools, conduct overseas lending, and coordinate foreign debt quotas, providing robust financial support for their global strategic deployments. These policy advantages will effectively help companies optimize global capital allocation, enhance international competitiveness, and proactively navigate the complex and volatile international economic landscape.

The successful accreditation of the first batch of cross-border fund centralized operation centers, including Zijin Holdings, signifies a significant stride in the financial opening-up and innovation of Hainan Free Trade Port, marking a milestone in Sanya's export-oriented economic development. It also embodies the integrated development of the financial and commercial sectors in the Sanya Central Business District, each boasting a scale of hundreds of billions of CNY. Since its establishment in 2020, the Sanya Central Business District has been tasked with the important mission of urban renewal and industrial upgrading in Sanya. As Sanya's primary hub for its export-oriented economy, in 2024, the import and export of goods increased by 68% year-on-year, accounting for 42% of the city's total; the total import and export of services increased by 58% year-on-year, accounting for 35% of the city's total; and the actual utilization of foreign capital increased by 32% year-on-year, accounting for 81% of the city's total. The District boasts 8,872 enterprises, including 115 Fortune Global 500 companies. Its "Dual Q" pilot program leads the province, with 66 QFLP funds accounting for 50% of the province's total, and QDLP management companies have been approved for overseas investment quotas accounting for 30%. The District is committed to creating a comprehensive service system for cross-border investment and financing and international trade, establishing Sanya as a base for overseas headquarters to conduct international business. As an example, the Sanya Central Business District's application for an operation center involved collaboration with the Hainan Provincial Local Financial Supervision and Administration Bureau as the lead unit. The Finance Section of the Municipal Government Office and China CITIC Bank Sanya Branch coordinated to provide one-on-one guidance to Zijin Holdings, facilitating the company's successful certification.

Going forward, the Sanya Central Business District will concentrate on building an international tourism consumption center and attracting dual headquarters, aligning with the principle of financial services supporting the real economy. It will leverage the advantages of the park's dual-trillion-level cluster, building upon the existing base of enterprises engaged in cross-border trade and investment to guide key players in enhancing their functions as Free Trade Port headquarters. By capitalizing on policy advantages, it will help companies improve capital security and cross-border capital utilization, attracting both "going out" cross-border trade enterprises and "coming in" foreign multinationals, thereby fostering industrial agglomeration.