In Tunchang County, Hainan, a local enterprise specializing in water treatment and sanitation equipment is showcasing the region's commitment to developing a low-carbon, circular economy. Hainan Tianyue Municipal Engineering Co., Ltd. General Manager Yu Zhaofa highlighted that their 20-mu facility keeps monthly water bills to just one or two hundred yuan by collecting rainwater from the factory roof for purification and reuse. He added, "I'm also planning to install solar panels on the factory buildings, ultimately achieving full self-sufficiency in water and electricity."
Located in the Datong Industrial Park, Hainan Tianyue Municipal Engineering Co., Ltd. covers a total area of 30 mu with a total investment of 133 million yuan. The first-phase factory commenced operations in March 2025, while the second phase is currently in progress. On September 18, a line of newly manufactured environmental protection equipment was displayed inside the company's Tunchang facility.
"Our core business focuses on two things: treating water and managing waste," Yu Zhaofa said. The company's product range includes solutions for domestic sewage, high-concentration wastewater, and petrochemical wastewater treatment, as well as waste transfer stations, underground garbage collection bins, and sanitation vehicles. The company operates on a made-to-order basis, designing equipment according to specific client requirements regarding water quality, application scenarios, and operating conditions.
The company's competitiveness is rooted in its technology and patents. Yu Zhaofa noted that the firm currently holds two invention patents and 11 utility model patents, with applications pending for an additional two invention patents and five utility model patents this year. While its products are sold across Hainan Island, the market has also expanded to regions including Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Henan, and Jiangsu. Overseas markets are also opening up, with orders exceeding 20 million yuan signed in Sri Lanka. The company is actively pursuing cooperation with Southeast Asian nations like Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as Suriname in South America.
The Hainan Free Trade Port policies are alleviating the burden on business development. Beyond the "dual 15%" tax incentives for corporate and personal income, Tianyue has become the first enterprise in Tunchang to open an EF (Electronic Finance) account under the free trade port framework, which Yu Zhaofa says simplifies overseas business expansion. When discussing why the company chose Tunchang, he cited its central location on the island—providing easy access to Haikou, Sanya, and Danzhou—along with relatively lower land costs and ample room for growth. He also praised the efficiency of local government services, noting the smooth progression from land acquisition to production launch.
Yu Zhaofa is targeting the green, low-carbon, and circular economy sector, which Tunchang is vigorously developing. Building a national ecological civilization pilot zone is a key component of Hainan Free Trade Port's "three zones and one center" strategic positioning, and advancing the "Zero-Waste Island" initiative is a clear requirement of Hainan's "15th Five-Year Plan." Located in the center of Hainan Island, Tunchang has a 1.5-hour transportation circle covering 70% of the province's waste-generating areas, making it a pivotal hub in the "Zero-Waste Island" layout.
At the start of the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Tunchang is actively exploring a path where ecological protection and industrial opening mutually reinforce each other, building a circular industrial system. Peng Fei, Director of the Tunchang County Development and Reform Commission, stated at a recent press conference held by the Hainan Provincial Information Office that Tunchang's goal is to turn the "ecological burden" into "green wealth"—ensuring waste does not leave the island, resources circulate, and value remains. According to the plan, Tunchang will establish a circular economy industrial zone aligned with top international standards and EU certification requirements, featuring direct green power connections, green water recycling, and centralized heating. The zone will also streamline administrative procedures with "land and certificates upon arrival, construction upon certification," ensuring businesses receive a "green pass" as soon as they enter the park. Furthermore, Tunchang will promote a "digital ID" system for waste, collaborating with supply and marketing cooperatives, leading enterprises, and recycling companies to build a three-tier recycling network across the island.
"In Tunchang, one company's waste is another company's raw material; there are no true waste items here, only resources that are misplaced," Peng Fei stated. Tunchang aims to build platforms and strengthen public services such as testing, certification, and carbon footprint accounting. For recycled materials, the county offers local raw materials and green water infrastructure; for end products, it provides green power and energy; and for businesses looking to explore international markets, there is green certification and the institutional advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Enterprises bringing projects to Tunchang can essentially move in and start operations with all necessary support.