By OUYANG SHIJIA in Beijing and MA ZHIPING in Haikou
With free trade port, new investments, emerging industries, South China's Hainan province to complement Hong Kong
Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong ... Which city is best for shopping? Choice will become harder as South China's Hainan province is set to join the list of not-to-miss shopping havens.
Add to that the island's reputation as a tourist paradise－tropical geography, pristine coastline, year-round sunshine, balmy weather, and sandy beaches.
There's more coming up. Free trade port. Investments. High-tech industries. Industrial parks. Cultural elements. Entertainment hot spots.
Small wonder, global investors, top-end talent, foreign tourists, and mainland travelers are all redrawing their plans to include Hainan as a priority, never mind the overhang of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout.
Lin Nianxiu, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said during a recent news conference that the first phase of the government's new master plan will make preparations and lay the foundation for the proposed free trade port system before 2025. Focus will be on liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.
'We will boost the free and efficient flow of various production factors and strive to make breakthroughs in around three years, which will lay a solid foundation for the island-wide special customs clearance operation in 2025,' Lin said.