In November this year, Uruguay and Hainan Province signed a framework cooperation agreement on the establishment of the Uruguayan Football Program which states the Uruguay Football Club, Latin Cultural, Education & Auction Center has been set up in Hainan, promoting exchange and cooperation in fields such as culture, education and sports between the two sides. Ambassador Fernando Lugris told us that he had visited Hainan many times and found more space for cooperation each time.

Fernando Lugris, Uruguay Ambassador to China

"I have been to Hainan more than 5 times and I'm very happy to go there every single time because I discover more and more opportunities for cooperation between Hainan province and Uruguay. I have been there at several locations trying to understand the different processes and the characteristics of the province."

On June 1st this year, the Chinese Central Government released the overall plan for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. In the past six months, Hainan has made great achievements in attracting investment, offshore duty-free shopping and building a modern comprehensive transportation system. Ambassador Fernando Lugris believed that Uruguay should seize the development opportunities brought by the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Fernando Lugris, Uruguay Ambassador to China

"We should be part of those changes and we should try to find areas of collaboration because it might be too late if we don't do it in the right moment. So I think this is a precisely fantastic moment to have closer cooperation."

On December 1st, the Chinese authorities released and put into effect a list of zero-tariff commodities in a bid to boost high-quality construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. In addition, with the implementation of relevant preferential policies, the tax costs of enterprises will be greatly reduced. Therefore, Hainan's foreign trade is expected to be further stimulated. Ambassador Fernando Lugris said that this will be beneficial for Uruguay to export goods to the Chinese market through Hainan Island.

Fernando Lugris, Uruguay Ambassador to China

"Uruguay exports more than 30% of its products to China. To find new opportunities, to find new gateways to China, I think Hainan can position itself as a new entrance to Chinese market."

Reporter from SSTV, Shi Shaopeng

Since the introduction of the overall plan for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, it has been half a year. During this period, Hainan has made great strides in development. For example, it has issued a "zero-tariff" list for raw and auxiliary materials, attracted 19 international ships to register their nationality in Yangpu Port, and realized against-the-trend growth in the turnover of offshore duty-free shopping. We believe that Hainan's rapid and steady development will bring more cooperation and win-win solutions around the world.