Divergences and Synergies between European Ports and the Hainan Free Trade Port

Photo by James Heming

September 10, 2026

Abstract

Maritime infrastructure sits at the intersection of trade, industry, and security, forming a critical node in the economic relationship between the European Union (EU) and China. While the EU increasingly frames port governance through the lens of economic security and de-risking, China continues to integrate its port development within its wider goals of becoming a major maritime power and advancing global connectivity. This study investigates potential policy cooperation between European ports and the Hainan Free Trade Port in this context, grounded in the framework of strategic narratives and employing a structured, focused comparison across English- and Chinese-language policy, corporate, and academic sources. It argues that despite political and regulatory divergence, the EU and China retain overlapping interests that enable technical alignment. Specifically, the study identifies four pragmatic avenues for bilateral collaboration: green shipping, fisheries compliance, data exchange standards, and intermodal logistics. These technical domains offer actionable pathways for constructive engagement that support Hainan Free Trade Port's ongoing development while accommodating European economic security priorities.

Keywords: EU–China relations, port governance, Hainan Free Trade Port, economic security, strategic narratives, maritime transport