China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially launch an island-wide independent customs operation on December 18. We spoke with Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, who said that China has upheld its commitment to opening-up since joining the WTO. Even as protectionism rises and tariffs increase globally, China's trade with most partners continues to grow. For companies looking to shift away from the US and other Western markets, Hainan is now a safer and better choice — offering a "more transparent way of doing business" and strong potential for economic upgrading and resource inflows.