Yes, in principle, a foreigner can open a company in Haikou and apply to be employed by that company, but it is not automatic.

The company must be properly registered, have a legal business scope, real operations, and be able to sponsor your foreigner work permit and residence permit.

Whether Hainan is the best place depends mainly on what goods you trade, which direction the trade flows, and whether Hainan’s Free Trade Port rules actually give your business an advantage.

For simple China-to-Latin-America export trading, Hainan may not add much compared with using existing mainland export hubs.

For goods imported into Hainan or processed in Hainan before entering mainland China, the FTP rules may matter more. Speak to a local company-registration and immigration adviser before spending money.

Hainan Linkchee Technology Service Co are a good company to talk to ...