Chinese president vows to boost Hainan tourism development
China’s new president Xi Jinping has pledged to accelerate the development of Hainan province as a tourism destination.
During a tour of the province this week, Xi urged the rapid development of tourism on the island, but said it should be undertaken in a sustainable manner, with consideration for the environment.
“Accelerating the development of Hainan as an international tourism island… offers the biggest opportunity and the biggest comparative advantage for Hainan,” Xi was reported saying by China’s Xinhua news agency. “Green mountains, clear water and blue sky are Hainan’s biggest strength in building an international resort island, and must be cherished and taken good care of.”
Xi visited several major tourism projects during his trip, including the international cruise terminal in Sanya.
China has taken several measures to boost tourism in Hainan, which was designated a ‘special economic zone’ in the 1980s. Tourism has boomed in recent years, and new projects on the island include a huge 20km² medical tourism zone and an 80km² golf complex.