Our reporter Su Yuting sat down with Liu Cigui, Secretary of Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hainan Provincial People's Congress. Liu Cigui shared his opinion on how a beautiful and new Hainan can give rise to fresh opportunities for all of China. He also gave us his expectations ahead of April's Boao Forum for Asia.

SU YUTING BEIJING "Hainan is China's largest special economic zone, and it has been an important pivot for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. How has the province tried to strengthen cooperation and connectivity with the various countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative?"

LIU CIGUI PARTY SECRETARY, HAINAN PROVINCIAL CPC COMMITTEE "We have been implementing Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era. Hainan has been playing a pivotal role in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. We have a great responsibility and have taken proactive measures, such as a five-year action plan to implement the initiative. We have achieved connectivity in the areas of aerospace and transportation; we have opened 60 international air routes, including some with the ASEAN countries. That has provided much more convenient opportunities for exchanges of personnel, economy, and trade. We have also promoted maritime connectivity by opening more cargo routes through the ocean. We have promoted people-to-people exchanges, lots of universities in Hainan have had students from developing countries, and that has greatly improved the cultural links between China and other countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Hainan province has its unique advantages, especially in the areas of agriculture and tourism. It has abundent tropical fruits. The number of foreigners going into Hainan in 2017 increased by 46 percent over the previous year. This strong momentum indicates that Hainan will become more open and popular as an international tourist destination."

SU YUTING BEIJING "This year's Boao Forum for Asia is China's first major diplomatic event since the 19th CPC National Congress. What are your expectations for the annual conference and how are you preparing for it?"

LIU CIGUI PARTY SECRETARY, HAINAN PROVINCIAL CPC COMMITTEE "Five years ago, President Xi Jinping attended the Boao Forum and had an inspection tour of Hainan. General Secretary Xi Jinping said that we should strengthen our efforts to build a beautiful and new Hainan that enjoys economic prosperity and social civilization, and ensure our people live in a good ecological environment with great happiness. General Secretary Xi has attached great importance to Hainan's ecosystem and asked us to improve the environment and not deteriorate it. We have been strictly following Xi Jinping's instructions. The metaphor is vivid that "clear water and green hills are golden and silver mountains". Five years ago, the first major diplomatic event was held in Boao, Hainan after the 18th CPC National Congress. And this year, the first major diplomatic event since the 19th CPC National Congress will be again held in Boao. We will build Boao as an open and harmonious place. We are full of confidence that we can come up with new ideas and live up to the expectations of General Secretary Xi Jinping and our people."

SU YUTING BEIJING "This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and it also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan province and its status as the special economic zone. How do you see the future development of Hainan?"

LIU CIGUI PARTY SECRETARY, HAINAN PROVINCIAL CPC COMMITTEE "When it comes to the future development of Hainan, guided by Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, we will deepen Hainan's reform and opening up to build a sweet home for Hainan people, a four-season Garden for the Chinese Nation, and a holiday paradise for domestic and overseas vistors. We should be more open with broader scope and stronger vitality. I belive Hainan's reform and opening up will step up to a new stage."