China Hainan Free Trade Port - the U.K. Promotion Conference held in London
（Source: People’s Daily Online）
On 9 June 2023, a delegation from Hainan Province and nearly 300 members of the Chinese and British business associations and enterprises gathered in London to attend the Hainan Free Trade Port UK Promotion Conference organised by Hainan Province in London. The Promotion Conference, with the theme of New Era, New Opening, New Opportunities, aimed to introduce the policy advantages, key industries, and investment opportunities of Hainan Free Trade Port, as well as the related information about the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan, to release the sincerity of cooperation of Hainan to British enterprises and to enhance the confidence of British enterprises to cooperate with Hainan.
During the Promotion Conference, members of the Hainan delegation introduced to the guests the key industrial investment opportunities and investment projects of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and representatives from Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and Harrow School shared their successful experience of developing in Hainan. Chinese and British enterprises also signed four cooperation agreements, involving tourism, trade and investment, education, architectural design, and other fields. The guests expressed their positive view on the development of China's economy and financial market, and that Hainan Free Trade Port will bring more trade opportunities and economic vitality to British enterprises!
Source: People’s Daily Overseas
Mr Eric Leung, the Chief Executive Officer of Asia International School Limited (AISL) and the representative of AISL Harrow, shared the wonderful experience of the support and care from the Hainan government after Harrow Haikou settled in Hainan, as well as his vision for the future development of Harrow Haikou and Hainan Free Trade Port.
from Mr Eric Leung, the Chief Executive Officer of Asia International School Limited (AISL)
Distinguished Deputy Governor Ni Qiang,
Honourable leaders, guests, and friends, good morning!
Three days ago we experienced the transition into “Mangzhong”, one of the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar. It is a season for seeding, much like our vision and purpose in establishing our school in Hainan in 2020––
「 To sow good seeds and nurture great talents.」
Today, it is my great honour to represent Harrow International Group to attend and deliver this speech at this special occasion in London, organised by the Hainan provincial government with the theme “New Era, New Opening-up, and New Opportunities”. First and foremost, I would like to thank the leaders at various levels of the Hainan provincial government and Haikou municipal government for their continued and enormous support to our school project in Hainan. It enabled the Harrow International School and Harrow LiDe Private School to be set up in the Jiangdong District of Haikou two and half years ago. We were the first world-renowned international educational brand on the Island, with a commitment to deliver a profound impact to the local community and beyond.
Currently, developments are swiftly underway in Hainan to transform the region into a free trade port with Chinese characteristics and a global impact as well as China’s new world-class foreign business hub. This ambition was most keenly felt by us, as one of the enterprises operating in Hainan Free Trade Port.
To bring a premium international education provider into Hainan, leaders of the Hainanese provincial government have since 2018 been engaging in constructive talks with us, and even made a special trip to visit Harrow School in the UK that year. After fully appreciating the history, values, curricula and pedagogies of Harrow School, the government quickly invited Harrow Asia to set up its school in Hainan.
From the signing of the framework and cooperation agreements to the commencement of construction, the process took less than five months, marking the most efficient project we have ever undertaken thus far.
During the most critical period of the pandemic, the provincial government instructed and coordinated the relevant departments and corporations to continue executing the Harrow Haikou project, and prioritised the resumption of construction work for the project. These efforts ensured that the school was able to open in September 2020 as scheduled.
「 After the school’s opening, all levels of Hainan government and relevant departments (especially the education bureaus) showed tremendous care toward the school’s operation. In less than three years, the school built an impressive reputation in the community and appealed massively to parents and students in Hainan and across the country. This has laid a solid foundation for our mission to offer top-quality international education and our vision to “stay rooted in Hainan while setting our sights nationwide, and serving the world”, providing the best quality international education for both Chinese and foreign families who come to invest, work or live in Hainan.」
Hainan is a cradle of talents, with its fertile soil having nurtured countless prominent figures in history that have made profound contributions to China and the world.
「In this “New Era, New Opening-up, and New Opportunities” initiative, Hainan government has created a conducive environment for educators in the region, ensuring everything was on track, from the bigger blueprint to the minute details, with both Hainanese “speed” and “warmth”. 」
As a result, we are extremely confident in and greatly look forward to becoming one of the top international education providers in Hainan. We also fully believe that the Harrow International School and Harrow LiDe Private School in Haikou will be a shining pearl in Hainan. With education as the bridge, we are most excited to seize any opportunity that arises, and to play a role in fostering further cooperation between the UK and Hainan and even China, for a win-win relationship in a new era. As a British education institution operating in Hainan, we welcome all of you here today to come to Hainan to investigate investment opportunities there, and we would be pleased to share with you our fond experience in investing in Hainan.
In three weeks’ time, we will be entering the second half of 2023. With deep gratitude for the past and wonderful hope for the future, I wish all of you success in your careers, the best of health, and happiness with your families for the rest of the year. Thank you very much!
Three years after its founding, Harrow Haikou has lived up to the expectations of the Hainan government by introducing international first-class education standards and educational resources to Hainan. It has provided a diverse and high-quality international education for local and international families. Please join us for a look back at what Harrow Haikou has brought to the Hainan Free Trade Port over the past 3 years -
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⭐Harrow Haikou has been officially certified by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and become an authorized CAIE test centre.
⭐The Sino-Foreign Cooperation Programme between Harrow School UK and Harrow Innovation Leadership Academy was approved in Dec. 2022.
⭐Harrow Haikou is ranked 18th nationally in the list of Top 100 international schools in China- Innovative Capacity and Competitiveness by KingLead in 2022.
⭐Harrow Haikou has been awarded 33rd place nationally and first place in Hainan Province in the list of Top 100 international schools in China - Brand value by KingLead in 2023.
⭐Harrow Haikou has become an authorised test centre for Hippo Olympiad (China).
⭐Harrow Haikou became an authorised test site for the Kangaroo Maths Competition.
⭐Harrow Haikou has been awarded as a STEM education model school.
⭐Harrow Haikou has been recognised as an outstanding vocal music education provider.
⭐Harrow Haikou has become the first Little Journalist Training Base in Hainan Province certified by the Special Economic Zone Digest.
⭐Harrow Haikou has been recognized as Music Talent Training Base by China Boao Arts Festival Committee.
⭐Harrow Haikou has become the authorized test centre for Cambridge English: Main Suite Exams.
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In addition, Harrow Haikou students have also made Harrow proud with their achievements in various national and international events.
Overview of Competition Awards of Harrow Students
The Hainan delegation's visit to the UK has had a profound impact on further cooperation between Hainan and the UK, with more UK enterprises learning through the Promotion Conference that Hainan's free trade port can bring more trade opportunities and economic vitality to UK businesses. The news was also covered by Xinhua Global Service, People's Daily and Hainan Daily.
