China vies to build Hainan into int'l resort

BEIJING: The Chinese government said on Monday that it aims to build the southern island of Hainan into a top international tourism destination by 2020.

Photo taken on December 2009 shows the panorama of a construction site of a tourist resort in Qionghai of south China's Hainan Province. The southernmost island province will be shaped into a world top class tourist destination by 2020, according to a State Council announcement released on Monday.[Photo/ Xinhua]

The country also plans to develop the only tropical island province to be a platform for international economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, according to a statement of the State Council, or the Cabinet, released on Gov.cn, the official web portal of the Chinese government.

The island will also become a base of agricultural production and a base for developing resources and services in the South China Sea, said the statement.

The government said it would maintain the healthy development of the island's property sector and encourage developers to build premium hotels and resorts. It also supports family-run hotels and property-rental services.

Efforts should also go to the financial sector in the island by pushing forward the trial program of cross-border trade RMB settlement and backing qualified tourism firms to get listed in the stock market.