Land disputes resulting in violent clashes between Hainan residents and Chinese authorities have become more frequent since the Chinese regime designated the southern island province as a Free Trade Port (FTP).
The action—which officially made Hainan a duty-free zone on Dec. 18, 2025—was an attempt by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to attract foreign investment amid the sluggish economy and wave of withdrawals of foreign companies from China. The Hainan FTP is open to the outside world but closed off by a tariff barrier from other regions within China.
Instead of boosting the Chinese economy, the FTP launch has exacerbated problems such as land grabbing, unemployment, and rising prices, leading to widespread public discontent, according to local villagers. Analysts who spoke to The Epoch Times have also pointed out it’s not a true free port under the CCP’s rule….
Villager, CCP Clashes More Frequent Since Launch of Hainan Free Trade Port, Residents Say
