Hainan province is one of the several Chinese regions that had seen relatively few cases for more than two years which are now battling outbreaks, raising the risk of persistent tight restrictions as the economy weakens.

In Hainan, millions of residents are under lockdown across several cities and towns, allowed out only for necessary reasons such as Covid tests, grocery shopping and essential job roles.

After cancelling the Boao Forum last year because of the coronavirus outbreak, China is signalling it’s open for business again.