2018年CRI Locals hail plans for Hainan pilot free trade zone

People from all walks of life in south China's Hainan Province say they're inspired by the decisions to transform the island province into China's largest pilot free trade zone, and vow 1 to make further contributions to the tropical island's development.

The recent decisions call for Hainan to be turned into a pilot zone for deepening overall reform and opening up. 

The pilot zone will include a national ecological 2 zone, a center for international tourism, and a national strategic logistics zone.

The grand goals were outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He made the announcement last Friday at a gathering 3 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan Province and the Hainan Special Economic Zone.

Observers said the goals set a clear direction for Hainan's future development.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping has not only lauded 4 the achievements regarding Hainan's development over the last three decades but also rolled out an important blueprint 5 for Hainan's further reform and opening up. We will definitely take the initiative to carry out reform and opening up and make new explorations in accordance with the guidance of the general secretary and the central authorities. I believe that Hainan will develop its potential to the fullest in the future," said Wu Shicun, the head of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

Specific measures announced include accelerating urban and rural integration 6 and deepening reforms of talent management, tax, finance, state-owned enterprises and income distribution mechanisms 8.

Trading venues 9 for global energy, shipping 10, commodities, property, equity 11 and carbon credits will also be established.

New-generation information technology and digital economy resources will be developed, and technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence will be integrated with the real economy.

Addressing the gathering on Friday, Xi Jinping encouraged the province to attract high-quality education resources and international professionals, and he called for support for Hainan to set up management systems for the recruitment of personnel from high tech industries overseas.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech was very encouraging. He said that talents gather to work together for a cause and a cause will prosper 12 thanks to the joint 13 efforts by the talents. He also stressed the importance of sound development of education and called for efforts to build Hainan University into a world-class institution. I feel honored and also a great sense of responsibility," said Li Jianbao, the President of Hainan University.

In terms of environmental protection, the central authorities are supporting the establishment of a national ecological development pilot zone in the province.

It will feature the strictest ecological and environmental protection mechanisms, and a modern regulation mechanism 7.

Fu Lanping, the head of Hainan's Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous 14 County, vowed 15 to adhere to the principles of green development.

"Lucid 16 waters and lush mountains are invaluable 17 assets. We will protect our ecological environment in the process of deepening reform and opening up on all fronts," said Fu.

According to a timetable unveiled by central authorities, the first stage of the free trade port system will be launched by 2025; it will be followed by a decade-long period of development.