Boao in Hainan has people coming back for more

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When one thinks of Hainan Province in China, Sanya and Haikou may come straight to mind.

But for Boao, one can perhaps say, the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) – a gathering of government and business leaders from around the world which formally began in 2001 – has given the town a little "oomph" in its recognition and development over the years.

Even then, 17 years on, it appears Boao still remains rather untouched for now, relatively to other cities in the province. Speaking to residents and out-of-town visitors, they hope Boao continues to prosper, but also remain true to its roots of protecting its environment and keeping a down-to-earth spirit.

Jiang Xiang, a local from nearby Qionghai City, has been running his restaurant and bar "Story of the Sea" since 2010. He recalls how poor Boao was back then before Hainan Province was established 30 years ago, mostly relying on fishing as the main income.

“If ‘Story of the Sea’ was not opened in Boao and instead in another place, it may not be what it is now – popular with its own household brand. It’s because of the annual Boao forum that people from around the world come to this town. So the impact is quite large,” Jiang said.

Jiang Xiang attributes, for the most part, the continued growth in his business to the annual BFA. /CGTN photo

When he started, he had only 10 employees, but he now has 80 with the number of customers having increased almost correspondingly.

Passionate about keeping the environment and beach clean, he makes it a point to involve his employees in maintaining his restaurant’s beachfront.

Government’s focus in building small towns

That said, Jiang pointed that it is not enough to just rely on the annual forum to retain customers, as most may just stay overnight and leave.

And hence, he takes comfort in how the government has been focusing more on rural areas over the past few years.

“The opening up of the economy has driven the development of this small town, and it is now at a historical turning point,” he said, citing President Xi Jinping’s visit to the forum for the third time since he took office.

“President Xi has also taken measures to spur Boao’s growth, from rational planning of its real estate to help the poor, to establishing it as a diplomatic conference platform," he added. "Given the direction set for a small town like Boao, I believe things will only get better."

Many visitors like Boao as a quieter, leisure holiday destination, in comparison to Sanya. /CGTN photo

Risk of over-commercialization?

Wang Hui, who hails from Daqing City in Heilongjiang Province, has bought with her husband a property in Boao in 2010 as they like Boao’s seaports, as well as prospects of the annual forum.

“Roads are now wider and people are more civilized. They are warm, friendly and simple. Even the food is more natural, healthy and green,” Wang said

Boao’s subtropical climate attracts many from around China. /CGTN photo

Although, Wang said road safety could be improved, and she wanted to see a little more development as it isn’t very convenient to buy groceries at this point.

Jamie Andrew, an expat teacher based in Haikou, said Boao is one of his favorite places to visit, referring it to as genuine, environmental-friendly and keeping more of the original Hainanese culture.

However, he pointed the concern of one day being over-developed.

“The main developments I have seen have been in real estate, a lot of buildings popping up as well as here at the seafront. The bars are expanding but perhaps a bit too much [in] property development,” Andrew said.

“I have seen a few changes in the past few years and if it stays like this, I’m happy with that.”

(Video filmed by CGTN cameraman Wang Jigang.)