Destination Vaccination: Hainan becomes more than the 'Hawaii of China'

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China's southern Hainan province is known for being the country's Hawaii. But the tropical island is no longer satisfied with that reputation alone. It's building a reputation as a destination for medical services as well. So how's it all going? Reporter Ge Yunfei takes us along for a sneak peak.

The sunshine and beaches of China's Hainan Province attract almost 70 million visitors a year. But since May, people from the Chinese mainland have had an extra reason to visit China's Hawaii. 26-year-old Li Zhujin and her fiancée are among the so-called "vaccine visitors".

LI ZHUJIN PATIENT "I come here because, apart from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, this is the only place in China that can provide the 9-valent HPV vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer."

United Family Healthcare, a foreign venture hospital, is now providing the vaccine service. It was one of the early actions taken by Hainan after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the island would become the nation's first Free Trade Port. The 9-valent HPV vaccine was the first to come, and cutting-edge anti-cancer drugs will be next.

XIONG XIAOBO, DOCTOR UNITED FAMILY HEALTHCARE, HAINAN "We're working with the Hainan government to apply for the American and European anti-cancer drugs now unavailable in China, and bring them here to the hospital. Soon Chinese cancer patients will be able to use the same medication as their western counterparts."

Attracted by Hainan's reform ambition, Dr. Xiong Xiaobo and his family moved here two months ago. But he hopes even more preferential policies, like loans and free housing come along, to support talented individuals for long-term stays. In May, the Hainan government launched a recruitment action plan that will invite a million more such people from home and abroad.

HUANG QIAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIZATION, CPC HAINAN PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE "In the past two months, we've recruited over 10 thousand professionals to Hainan, especially in the high-end manufacturing and technology areas.”

But they'll have some competition. China's other 11 free trade zones are also trying to lure more industry leaders and experts.

HUANG QIAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIZATION, CPC HAINAN PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE "We will not compete with them financially, but we have our own advantages."

Ji Bingqing is a pharmaceutical researcher. Two years ago, he came to Hainan from the United States.

DR. JI BINGQING, VICE GENERAL MANAGER QILU PHARMACEUTICAL HAINAN "One of the biggest advantages is Hainan's environment. The sky and air here are as good as those in the US. But clearly just relying on nature and surroundings is not enough."

Ji's company made coming to Hainan an attractive option. Qilu Pharmaceutical gave him a platform that allows him to form a team doing his own research. But experts say it will take more than incentives to recruit more people like him.

YAN ZIMENG, VICE GENERAL MANAGER QILU PHARMACEUTICAL HAINAN "First of all, the free trade port should establish a visa system allowing a much more free flow of people in and out of Hainan. Secondly, the port should build an internet environment seamlessly and simultaneously connected with the rest of the world."

In June, Hainan announced a bold plan to open Google, Facebook and Twitter connections to foreign visitors in certain cities. Similar changes are expected down the road. Ge Yunfei, CGTN, Hainan Province.