Foreign diplomats based in China visit Yazhou Bay in Sanya

More than 30 ambassadors, charges d'affaires, representatives of international organizations and senior diplomats from countries like Croatia visited the coastal resort city of Sanya on July 22.

It is part of delegation's trip to the country's southernmost Hainan province from July 22 to 25.

After arriving in Sanya, the delegation dived straight into a slew of study and exchange activities.

Members of the diplomatic corps in China visit the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City high-tech zone in Sanya. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The delegation's first stop was the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City (YZBSTC) high-tech zone in Sanya.

They visited the Industry Promotion Center and the National Nanfan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, learning about the latest advancements in the Nanfan seed industry and deep-sea technology.

As a key area of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the YZBSTC high-tech zone is focused on developing Nanfan Silicon Valley and deep-sea industries, attracting national research platforms and innovative companies. As a result, it's become a significant showcase of China's new productive capabilities.

The diplomats showed keen interest in the innovations in the seed industry — frequently pausing to ask about technological breakthroughs and future applications.

Following the site visits, the delegation attended an industry matchmaking conference in Sanya.

They engaged in detailed discussions with local government and business representatives about cooperation opportunities in areas such as FTP policies, investment and trade, tropical agriculture and international tourism.

The envoys noted that since the launch of island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan FTP on Dec 18, 2025, the benefits of these policies have continued to emerge, invigorating the market.

Sanya, as a forefront of the Hainan FTP's development, is said to offer vast potential — and they were keen to align their countries' quality resources with Sanya's development needs.

The visit by the diplomatic corps comes at a time when international exchanges continue to grow following the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan FTP.

The delegation will also visit Wuzhishan, Qionghai and Wenchang cities, among other places, to help them gain a comprehensive understanding of the achievements and dynamic openness of the Hainan FTP.