Beijing, Dec. 30 -- The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) official launch of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) on December 18 has sparked widespread concern among residents and analysts, with rising living costs, strict political controls, and alleged military motivations casting doubt on Beijing's claims of creating a truly "free" trade hub, according to a report by The Epoch Times (TET).

Hainan, a southern island province, has been designated a duty-free zone, separated from mainland China by a tariff barrier, as part of the CCP's effort to attract foreign investment amid a slowing economy and the withdrawal of multinational companies. The regime has promoted the FTP as a Hong Kong-style commercial hub. However, CCP has stressed that the ...