Li Hong, vice governor of Fujian province, and officials from the provincial departments of health and education, arrived in Pingtan county on August 21 for a visit focusing on the island's development.

Gong Qinggai, director of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, said at a meeting with the visitors that the opening up and development of Pingtan was an essential strategic decision made by the central government and the State Council, and that the county has made great improvements over the past three years in creating an eco-friendly environment.

He also said that Pingtan will strive to build a university town, world-class hospitals, schools and parks, with the aim of creating a pleasant environment for work and pleasure.

Li Hong praised Pingtan's economic achievements, and pledged to give more attention to the county's issues in the sectors of education and health care.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman