Hainan Province is China's largest special economic zone and an important pivot for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is known for the annual Boao Forum for Asia, which has been held in the small county Boao since 2002.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan Province. In an interview with CGTN reporter Su Yuting, Hainan province’s party chief Liu Cigui has shared his view on how to build a beautiful new Hainan with shared new opportunities, and his expectations on the upcoming Boao Forum for Asia which will be held in April this year.

Liu: We have taken proactive measures such as the 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 those 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 oceans. We have promoted people-to-people exchanges. Lots of universities in Hainan have had students from developing countries, which 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. The number of foreign visitors coming to Hainan in 2017 increased by 46 percent compared with that of the year before. This strong momentum indicates that Hainan will become more open and popular as an international tourist destination. 

Liu: General Secretary Xi Jinping said Hainan should strengthen its efforts to build a "Beautiful New Hainan" that enjoys economic prosperity and civilization, and ensure that its people lives in a good natural environment with 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 advice; the metaphor is vivid that "clear water and green hills are golden and silver mountains." We will build Boao as an open and harmonious place. We are full of confidence in making new achievements with new ideas and living up to the expectations of the General Secretary Xi Jinping and our people. "

Liu: We will deepen Hainan's reform and opening up to build a sweet home for the Hainan people, a four-season Garden for the Chinese nation, and a vacation paradise for domestic and overseas visitors. We should be more open with a broader scope and stronger vitality. I believe Hainan's reform and opening up will step up to a new stage.