Ｈａｉｎａｎ――Ｓｐｒｉｎｇｔｉｍｅ　ｉｎ　ａｎ　Ｏｐｅｎ　Ｐｒｏｖｉｎｃｅ.docVIP

Ｈａｉｎａｎ――Ｓｐｒｉｎｇｔｉｍｅ　ｉｎ　ａｎ　Ｏｐｅｎ　Ｐｒｏｖｉｎｃｅ 　　 　　IT’S springtime in Hainan, literally in terms of the season, but also figuratively in terms of an ongoing era of rebirth for the tropical island. Hainan is China’s southernmost territory, and the nation’s smallest province in terms of land area. Size is no reflection of status, however. The island is famous as a holiday resort of azure skies, bright sunshine, fresh air and unspoiled beaches. 　　Hainan’s provincial status is comparatively recent. On April 13, 1988, Hainan was established not only as a province, but also as China’s largest “special economic zone.” In the 20 years since, the island has gone from an undeveloped backwater to an area of growing affluence, rising living standards and rapid development. In 2007 alone, provincial GDP grew by 14.5 percent. Total local revenue swelled by 41 percent, and average net incomes in the island’s urban and rural areas increased by 16 and 18 percent, respectively. 　　The opening-up of the local economy is reflected in efforts to promote Hainan as an international air hub. In 2007, the government adjusted aviation policy on the island to bring it into line with international practices, and liberalization of the aviation industry is continuing apace. 　　With an optimal investment climate, Hainan has become a hotspot for Chinese and international businesspeople. In 2005, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hainan Provincial Committee published Decisions on Enhancing the Construction of the Investment Environment. Since then domestic and international enterprises have flooded into the province, and many compatriots are returning home to invest in their home province. 　　Hainan has also benefited from regional economic integration. To further this cooperative trend, recent years have seen local authorities organize large high-level delegations to attend various regional cooperative conferences. More than 100 cooperative projects have been established, amounting to nearly RMB 100