ONCE famed as an exile for disloyal Chinese officials, rebels and criminals, Hainan island has lately become better known as China's largest Special Economic Zone and an unspoiled ''Oriental Hawaii''.
It has a population equivalent to Hong Kong, but has 34,000 kilometres of space to accommodate residents.
With three cities and 16 counties, it is still the smallest province in China. It enjoys special economic status.
Director of tourism Xia Zhongxun said: ''We enjoy much more special preferential policies than any other Special Economic Zone in China.
''Therefore, Hainan is not only a paradise for tourists (he called it an 'international winter resort') but an ideal island for businessmen and investors.'' Hainan has authority at provincial level over economic affairs - though not financial management.
Seventy hotels are allowed to take foreign guests, including large numbers of Scandinavians in the winter.
