In performing the historic task of supporting Hainan in comprehensively deepening the reform and opening-up policy and exemplifying the modern socialism with Chinese characteristics, Haikou Maritime Court takes emancipating the mind and developing innovative thinking as a starting point and breakthrough. Recently, Haikou Maritime Court has set up a reform and innovation research team made up of senior judges with profound theoretical knowledge and rich experience in trials and young officers with active thinking and competence for research. The team will advise for the judicial reform leading group of the court. It will be responsible for proposing reform innovations and researching on theories and their feasibility. It will also draw up policies and documents for reform and innovations.

On the morning of 2 May 2018, the reform and innovation research team had its first meeting. The following requirements were made at the meeting: first, to improve ideological understanding and a sense of historic responsibility. It was important to truly understand that Hainan as a pioneer in the national reform and opening-up efforts shouldered a significant and historic mission of exploring a more advanced path to reform and opening-up. As a pioneer and practitioner of the reform, we had a honourable mission and heavy responsibility. We should have the courage to assume the responsibility, take proactive actions and eradicate any slacking. Second, to further study and improve competencies. It was important to fully understand the keynote speech delivered by President Xi Jinping on 13 April at the celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of a special economic zone in Hainan Province, the spirit of the Guiding Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Hainan in Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Opening-Up, and relevant judicial policy requirements made by the supreme people’s court. Based on this, we should further study and learn from the practices of courts in free trade zones across the country. By learning from others’ strengths and overcoming our weaknesses, adopting innovative thinking, and making bold attempts, we would be able to improve our competencies in reform and opening up. Third, to conduct field researches and come up with practical measures. It was important to firmly implement the arrangements and deployment about collective research made by the Leading Party Members' Group of the court. The wisdom of all of the judges, court staff, and judicial personnel should be fully utilized to support the building of Hainan pilot free trade zone and free trade port and to facilitate affairs of the court. In addition to spotting problems and weaknesses through research, thoughts should also be put into finding and exploring practical measures for reform and innovations. Research results should be transformed into feasible measures to solve problems and promote development.

At the meeting, arrangements and deployment were also made to further fulfil our maritime trial function and to better and more effectively target our maritime judicial services to support the building of a pilot free trade zone and a free trade port.