Hainan

American  

[hahy-nahn] / ˈhaɪˈnɑn /

noun

1. Pinyin, Wade-Giles. an island in the South China Sea, separated from the mainland by the Hainan Strait: a part of Guangdong province. 13,200 sq. mi. (34,200 sq. km).

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Hainan British  

/ taʊ, ˈhaɪˈnæn /

noun

1. an island and province in the South China Sea, separated from the mainland of S China by the Hainan Strait : part of Guangdong province until 1988; mainland China's largest offshore island. Pop: 8 110 000 (2003 est). Area: 33 572 sq km (12 962 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

After duty-free spending in Hainan fell 29.3% in 2024, Beijing raised the stakes by turning the island into a bigger test for tax breaks, tariff-free access and selective economic opening.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

China formally launched islandwide customs closure for the Hainan Free Trade Port late last year, effectively placing the island inside China’s territory but outside its ordinary customs regime.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

China Duty Free Group has benefited from the strong growth momentum driven by the Hainan offshore duty-free zone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

But the way Uncle Thing sees it, "Hainan has already succeeded in its experiment... If they have their own supply and start importing less, our market will be affected."

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

Serious disorders also broke out in the islands of Formosa and Hainan.

From China by Boulger, Demetrius Charles