"HSBC was involved and witnessed the issuance, which fully demonstrates the potential momentum of the cooperation between Hong Kong and Hainan," Neo Wang, head of Corporates, Commercial Banking, HSBC, said at the promotion conference.

"After the implementation of the Hainan Free Trade Port Law in 2021, people from all walks of life in Hong Kong have been paying more attention to Hainan, especially those who are engaged in finance, commerce, innovative technology, large conferences and exhibitions and retail industries. Promoting multi-industrial cooperation between Hong Kong and Hainan will bring more development opportunities for both sides," he added.

To provide convenience for people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese who invest and start businesses in Hainan, six service workstations were established by the Hainan Provincial Committee in the province's key industrial parks. In June, the Hainan Bureau of International Economic Development also set up an office in Hong Kong to promote economic and trade cooperation.

"Hainan has strengthened its efforts in attracting talent, including service talent in cultural creativity, trade, finance, consulting, sports and other fields," said Zhu Dingjian, chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group — currently the largest Hong Kong-invested enterprise in Hainan, with an actual investment of 40 billion yuan — said at the conference. "It can be said that a 100,000-strong mighty division of talent has been drawn to the island."

Hainan has also been a popular destination for Hong Kong tourists. In 2019, the province received 129,400 Hong Kong tourists in total, with more than 30 direct flights a week, making it the fourth-largest inbound tourist market in the province.

When international air traffic resumed in November, the first international and regional passenger route from Hainan was to Hong Kong. As of Feb 11, 88 flights between Haikou and Hong Kong had been completed, transporting 10,266 passengers.