Hainan cashes in on expanded duty-free policy

Island province hopes to become international tourist destination

Tourists visiting China's southernmost province, Hai-nan, have a higher duty-free spending limit starting Thursday - a stimulus to promote the island as a destination for luxury-good buyers.

Non-residents leaving the island can now make duty-free purchases of up to 8,000 yuan ($1,280) twice a year, up from the previous 5,000 yuan limit, according to a Ministry of Finance statement.