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

Under the new setup, Hainan operates on what officials call a “first-line opening, second-line controlled” model.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

For years, Hainan was supposed to solve a narrow but important problem for Beijing: how to keep more Chinese luxury spending at home.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Beijing authorities rolled out new Hainan offshore duty-free policies that took effect in November last year.

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

Passed the island of Hainan, belonging to China, situated at the entrance of the Gulf of Tonquin, which, Page 406though very barren-looking, supports a population of 150,000.

From A Voyage in the 'Sunbeam' Our Home on the Ocean for Eleven Months by Brassey, Annie