Translated with AI
The 6th China International Consumer Goods Expo will be held from April 13 to 18, 2026, in Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province. The province is strengthening its comprehensive ties with the world through the platform of this major expo. It is worth noting that the 6th expo marks the first major event in China's 15th Five-Year Plan year (2026–2030) and Hainan's debut since the launch of a special customs regime within the free trade port, which took effect on December 18 of last year. Building on five years of experience, the expo and the free trade port are effectively collaborating, helping Hainan become a vanguard of China's integration into the global economy.
Fruitful 5 years
Since 2021, the China International Consumer Goods Expo (CICE) has annually brought together high-quality global consumer resources and brands for exhibition and collaboration. In total, over 3,800 companies from 92 countries and regions have participated in the expos in previous years. The number of Fortune 500 companies and leading industry players has grown from 30 at the first expo to 65 at the fifth. The events have attracted over 230,000 domestic and international buyers. Over the past five years, over 70 leading foreign enterprises have invested in Hainan after participating in the expo. These companies operate in such fields as cosmetics and perfumes, medicine and wellness, food and beverages, and travel retail. For example, the Canadian company Green Chocolate Works (Canada Green Chocolate Factory Co., Ltd.) built a factory in Hainan and created a "chocolate village" after participating in the 2021 expo. As the only modern manufacturing base in Asia, the company is rapidly expanding, taking advantage of the free trade port policy, particularly the exemption from value-added duties. On January 1, 2026, the brand's first flagship store opened in the scenic Tianyahaijiao ("Edge of Heaven and Sea") area of Sanya. The Canadian company is currently planning to build an intelligent "Factory of the Future" and an industrial tourism base integrating production, development, and tourism experiences. Another example is OSIM, a high-end healthy lifestyle brand from Singapore. The brand opened its first direct-to-consumer store in Haikou after participating in the Expo, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership with Hainan. Today, the number of OSIM stores in the Chinese market has already exceeded 60% of its global market share. China has become a key focus for the brand's global development.
Mutual acceleration from a new start
Let's take a look at the ongoing 6th exhibition! More than 3,400 brands from 60 countries and regions are participating, 65% of which are international brands—a 20% increase from last year. It's worth noting that before the start of this year's exhibition, Hainan celebrated the 100th day since the introduction of special customs policies for the free trade port. Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping stated that the ministry is ready to facilitate the mutual acceleration of the consumer exhibition and the Hainan Free Trade Port. On the one hand, the free trade port policy will attract investment and facilitate the development of the exhibition. On the other hand, the exhibition's unique platform will significantly facilitate the construction of the free trade port in the future.
The advantages of the free trade port policy play a significant role in the ongoing exhibition, particularly in the healthcare and yachting sections. The 6th edition of the exhibition features a yachting exhibition in Sanya, and an international health exhibition is being held at the Bo'ao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Qionghai. The yachting exhibition in Sanya features over 200 vessels, 70% of which are foreign-made: French, Italian, British, German, and American. There are also Chinese-made yachts from Dalian and Qingdao. The zero-tariff yachting system on the island opens up new opportunities for such formats as "yacht + wedding," "yacht + diving," "yacht + helicopter," and others. The Bo'ao Lecheng Pilot Zone is creating a new platform for the global consumption of medical services. This section has attracted over 340 international pharmaceutical companies and specialty food manufacturers from over 30 countries and regions. There are more than 1,300 unique exhibits on display.
Inviting the world to Hainan
March 27, 2026, marked the 100th day since the implementation of the special customs policies at Hainan Free Trade Port. Their impact is becoming increasingly evident, and the port's popularity continues to grow. During this period, the volume of purchases at the island's duty-free shops reached 15.62 billion yuan ($2.29 billion), an increase of 27.64% compared to the same period last year. The volume of imports and exports in foreign trade exceeded 80 billion yuan ($11.71 billion), an increase of 32.9%. 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will be a key period for the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up of Hainan. On April 10, the provincial government held a press conference in Haikou on the development of Hainan Free Trade Port during the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission stated its commitment to further develop exhibition activities in Haikou, yachting tourism in Sanya, medical tourism in Qionghai, and surfing in Wanning as tourism highlights for the province. Furthermore, it plans to further develop the China International Consumer Goods Expo as a "starting point" and "calling card" for global lifestyle trends, with the goal of transforming "shopping in Hainan" into a global trend and a global attraction.
CGTN Russian Correspondent Zhao Yi
(Photo: VCG)
