The southernmost island province of China, Hainan, has been attracting people from around the world for years with its clear waters, sandy beaches and year-round sunshine. Following a blueprint released by China's central government in 2020, Hainan has been striving to become a globally influential high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. It is a prime example of China's continuous opening-up. But what has happened to the lives of the people in Hainan during this period?

On the 20th anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia, the Chat Room invites locals and foreigners with connections to Hainan to share their stories about the island.

Godfrey Zwygart, CEO of the marine consulting company Marevisio, shared his observations of the prospering business of yachting in Hainan. In Sanya for more than a decade, he witnessed the business growing from zero. He said the number of boats in Sanya had tripled in the past decade, from less than 200 to over 600. There are also numerous projects and new marinas under construction.