After two years navigating Beijing’s bustling markets, Jake Canning swapped the capital’s winter chills for Hainan’s year-round sunshine. The expat from a small town near Leeds found his calling on the tropical island eight years ago and decided to open a pizza shop in Haikou.
“I was amazed by how welcoming the local community was,” Jake says. “From registering my business to finding suppliers, the process in Hainan was straightforward,” he adds. His restaurant now has a loyal following of residents and visitors craving authentic wood-fired pizza on China’s southern shore.
Experts say Hainan’s growing reputation as an open, international hub is attracting entrepreneurs like Jake. The island’s policies on foreign investment and its booming tourism sector have created fertile ground for new ventures.
“If you’re passionate and ready to adapt, Hainan can be an excellent place to launch a business,” he notes. For aspiring expats and digital nomads, Jake offers simple advice: embrace the local culture, learn basic Mandarin, and build relationships with suppliers and customers.
As China’s tropical island continues to evolve, stories like Jake’s demonstrate that running a successful foreign-owned business in Hainan can be less challenging than many expect.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
