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Hainan

2017-08-02

Hainan province, lying at China's southernmost region, is a key place on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is located in the center of Asia Pacific economic circle and on the main international shipping routes of the South China Sea. As the youngest and the only tropical island province, as well as the largest special economic zone in China, Hainan covers a land area of 35,400 square kilometers. It has an authorized jurisdiction on Xisha islands, Zhongsha islands and Nanshan islands as well as their adjacent waters. The total population of the area is 9.17 million, which is composed of ethnic groups such as Han, Li, Zhuang, Miao and Hui. Tropical maritime climate prevails in Hainan, bringing it a yearly average temperature of 22 C.

With unique ecological advantages and an abundance of tourism resources such as tropical coastal areas, pristine tropical rainforests, geothermal hot springs and rich ethnic customs, Hainan became an international tourism island, a Longevity Island and an "Oriental Hawaii". Its ecological environment, air quality, water quality in the rivers and offshore waters have always obtained China's first class level. Hainan is rich in biological resources, and the forest coverage rate is 62.1 percent, making it a renowned "Green Island". According to WHO, the air quality of Sanya and Haikou ranked first and second among the Chinese mainland cities. Good natural and living environment helped Hainan gain the reputation of a "Healthy Island" and "Longevity Island". Among 100 thousand people in Hainan, there are 22.86 centenarians, which is far more than the UN evaluation criteria for a longevity area.

With the increasing external exchanges, the developing island is embracing the world. Hainan, borders Hong Kong and Macao and faces ASEAN countries, is not only the forefront "window" of China's opening up to the outside world, but also an important place on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The province has been known worldwide as holding grand events such as Boao Forum for Asia, BRICS Summit in Sanya China, the first Lancang-Meikong Cooperation Meeting, Roundtable Conference on China-Africa Cooperation. Hainan has established strong relationships with 51 cities and provinces from the 5 continents, and more than 3.9 million Chinese people went overseas in 59 countries and regions. The visa-free policy has expanded to 26 countries and the number is soon expected to reach 59, the offshore duty-free policy has been further released, over 50 international routes and the "Sky Silk Road" get access to not less than 30 countries and regions. Folk festivals, sports events, exhibitions and conferences, all help make Hainan shine at the world stage.

In the future, based on and adhered to the structural supply-side reform, Hainan will utilize its advantages in ecological environment and the country's largest special economic zone as well as the international tourism island, promoting the construction of 12 key industries and 6 industrial parks, as well as the construction of five major infrastructure networks. By promoting the implementation of special policies of environmental protection, constructing beautiful countryside, enhancing the island’s level of tourism, Hainan aims to fully develop a well-off society of economic prosperity, social civilization, ecological living, and create a happy home for the entire province and a holiday paradise for both domestic and overseas tourists.