China's Hainan tests global web access for firms

Hainan, China’s southernmost province, is piloting a groundbreaking programme that grants select corporate users broad access to the global internet—marking a rare exception to the country’s notoriously strict online censorship laws. The initiative is part of the island’s wider push to transform into a global free-trade port.

Employees of companies registered and operating in Hainan can now apply for the “Global Connect” mobile service through the Hainan International Data Comprehensive Service Centre (HIDCSC), a state-run agency overseen by the Hainan Big Data Development Centre, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The pilot programme allows approved users to bypass the “Great Firewall,” which blocks access to a wide range of international websites such as Google and Wikipedia.

Applicants must be on a 5G plan with one of China’s three major state-owned carriers—China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom—and provide their employer’s Unified Social Credit Code as part of the application process. Approval can take up to five months, according to HIDCSC staff.

Once approved, users will be able to access the global internet at no additional cost. There are currently no restrictions on company size or business scope, and the service has attracted significant business interest, a HIDCSC representative said. 

While platforms like YouTube, X, and TikTok will be accessible, “some websites would remain off-limits,” the staff member said, without elaborating on which content would still be restricted.

HIDCSC has previously offered similar services to corporate clients—especially e-commerce firms catering to international markets. While large local and multinational firms have often gained special access to the global web, individual users have largely depended on virtual private networks (VPNs), many of which are illegal unless government-approved.

The move comes as Hainan prepares to launch independent customs operations by the end of the year, a key step in its free-trade port vision.

By Sabina Mammadli