Balancing act ahead for Hainan after Xi Jinping hands it a crucial role
As the island opens up to the world in the latest reforms push, officials must learn lessons from the past and adapt their governance accordingly
Hainan is China’s smallest province, but it has been handed a significant role in the second phase of the nation’s evolution. On the heels of President Xi Jinping announcing at the Boao Forum for Asia a further opening up to the world and pushing of reforms, he declared the southern island would be a showcase for development.
It is a big responsibility; while being a pioneer, it will also be expected to set an example for developing an outward-looking economy.
Xi has good reason to put his faith in Hainan. Years after Shenzhen was declared the nation’s first special economic zone, the successful model was extended to the whole of the 33,920 square-kilometre tropical island in 1988.
At the time, its economy was agriculture-based and poverty was rife, but through innovation, it has been transformed into a regional hub for trade, logistics, technology and tourism.