Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

First of all, on behalf of Hainan Provincial Committee of the CPC and Hainan Provincial People's Government, please allow me to extend my appreciation and gratitude to you all for the great concerns and ardent support you have been rendering to Hainan.

The freshly released Opinions on Propelling Construction of Hainan as an International Tourism Destination is an important strategic decision made by the State Council, addressing the overall modernization drive of our country and its campaign of reform and opening up and embodying the concerns and support from the Central Committee of the CPC to Hainan. The release of that document symbolizes that the campaign of building Hainan into an international tourism destination have been upgraded as a state strategy, which is another milestone for Hainan’s development since Hainan was established as a province and a special economic zone in 1988.

The idea of "becoming an international tourism destination" is a thought of development raised by Hainan Provincial Party Committee and Hainan Provincial Government on the basis of implementing the scientific outlook of development and the policy of changing development mode as well as taking Hainan’s local conditions into consideration. The goal is to build Hainan into a world-class sea island tourism and resort destination, and an all-season garden of the Chinese people, which features highly internationalized tourism services, excellent eco-environment, distinctive and attractive culture, and harmonious society. To fulfill this goal, we will give a full play of the environment and resource advantages of our province, and not hesitate to draw lessons from major island economies, so as to accelerate the internationalization drive of tourism sectors and upgrade the construction of tourism facilities as well as improve its management and services. It is through this way that we will realize the transformation and upgrading of the local tourism industry, and whereafter, promote the overall economic development and social progress of the province.

The above development thought gains full recognition from both the state leaders and common people from all circles. On his inspection trip to Hainan in April 2008, President Hu Jintao demanded that Hainan actively promote the development of service sectors and build tourism as the pillar industry through enhancing its internationalization level. Premier Wen Jiabao, when inspecting Hainan in April 2009, pointed out that, "the campaign to build Hainan into a international tourism destination should be taken as the commanding height and breaking point for Hainan's further reform and future development". Premier Wen Jiabao also demanded that the State Development and Reform Commission, in company with other state ministries concerned, draft a systematic document to guide such campaign. In June 2009, the State Development and Reform Commission headed an investigation group to Hainan. The investigation was jointly made by 22 state ministries including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Land and Resources, etc., of which the achievements form the basis of the document. After full consultation with all parties, Opinions on Propelling Construction of Hainan as an International Tourism Destination was released as a State Council document on Dec. 31, 2009.

This State Council document identifies 6 strategic tasks for Hainan's campaign of being an international tourism destination: Pilot base of China's tourism reform and innovation; World-class sea island tourism and resort destination; National demonstration area of ecological civilization; Platform for international economic cooperation and cultural exchanges; Resources development and service base in the South China Sea; National base for modern tropical agriculture.

As such, the document is a new mission given by Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council, clarifying and improving Hainan's role in national drive of reform and opening up. It also means great responsibility on our shoulder.

In line with international and domestic trends and proceeding from Hainan's local conditions, the document articulates the goal of building an International Tourism Destination. To this end, a series of requirements and measures are put forward to secure industrial development, ecological environment, social undertakings and infrastructure construction. A number of key projects will enter Hainan, and favorable policies concerning investment, financing, tax rate, opening up and land use will be granted to the province. This document points out a clear path for Hainan's social and economic development in a scientific manner, in the meantime, creates preferable conditions and brings about rare opportunities.

Implementing this strategic document will enable China to build a competitive tourism destination, accelerate the development of its modern service industry, enhance its tourism industry, and enable Hainan to realize scientific and harmonious development, with its advantage in geographic location and resources as the trial-blazer of Special Economic Zone in reform and opening up. Hainan will demonstrate an optimized economic structure and transformation of economic development mode nationwide. Its achievement will have significant meaning and far-reaching historical impacts.

An International Tourism Destination is an attractive blueprint for Hainan's future. However, we are fully aware that it is a long and tenuous historic task. We will follow the scientific and harmonious development approach, and mobilize people of all ethnic groups in the province to implement the document. First, planning. Advanced development notions need to be introduced, and the requirement of "refined taste, distinctive feature" needs to be followed in the course of building an International Tourism Destination. Good planning is a must to ensure that all the work will be proceeded in order. Second, policies. All the policies stipulated in the document must be implemented with detailed practical supporting measures, so as to maintain strong points and sustained attraction of future Hainan as an International Tourism Destination. Third, projects. All the followed-up keys projects must be of high quality and high standard so as to ensure that each of them will be a corner stone and new attraction of Hainan.

The year 2010 marks the beginning of the campaign of building Hainan into an international tourism destination. In this crucial year, we will elaborate and carry out a batch of pragmatic projects and events, including the first Boao International Tourism Forum, duty-free shops operated by large professional companies, new tourism products with special characteristics such as marine tourism activities, space theme park, tropical ocean theme park and other big-scale tourism projects. We will conduct a comprehensive renovation of tourism infrastructures including signs and boards along major tour routes and public restrooms. We will establish tourist centers in both Haikou and Sanya, open multi-lingual official tourism website and build financial platform for tourism development. We will also plan and carry out quality tourism promotion activities as well as influential cultural, festival entertainment and sports events. Last but not least, we will accelerate the reform of tourism management system, further improve urban-rural sanitation, public security, and regulate tourism market so that Hainan people can see the tangible reward, and the Chinese people as well as the visitors worldwide can really feel the changes brought about to Hainan by the “international tourism destination strategy”. Only in this way, the year 2010 can mark a big stride.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to elaborate more on Boao International Tourism Forum. For the purpose of better showcasing China's tourism, promoting Hainan as an international tourism destination, sharing experiences in tourism development among stakeholders and providing expertise support for Hainan's tourism development, Hainan joins hands with eight state ministries including the China's Ministry of Culture, the National Tourism Administration and the State Council Information Office in the initiation of Boao International Tourism Forum. The first round of the Forum will be held in March, 2010. Hundreds of prominent guests from political, cultural and tourism arena of home and abroad will be present. Our goal is to make the Forum a sustainable icon for international tourism convention, injecting substantial impetus to the development of tourism which will serve as the pioneer for the development of modern tertiary industry. Press friends are welcome to cover this Forum.

Dear friends, the central government decided to upgrade Hainan as a province and a special economic zone 22 years ago. Since then this province has witnessed the upsurge of a new era for Hainan's development. Today, with the grant of "International Tourism Destination Strategy" from the central government, we are convinced that Hainan is on the threshold of a even more magnificent future.

The development of international tourism destination is a brand new cause. We are expecting your active participation and support as always.

Hainan as the only tropical island in China enjoys clear sky, azure blue sea, fresh air and beautiful scenery. With air of top quality everyday and temperature favorable all year round, Hainan will undoubtedly be a refreshing place for people to maintain a good health. Hainan offers her invitation and shall remain welcoming you as always!

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