Hainan [a] es una provincia insular y la provincia más meridional de China. Está formada por la isla homónima de Hainan y varias islas más pequeñas en el mar de China Meridional bajo la administración de la provincia. El nombre significa literalmente "al sur del mar".
La provincia tiene una superficie de 33.920 kilómetros cuadrados (13.100 millas cuadradas), de los cuales la isla de Hainan tiene 32.900 kilómetros cuadrados (12.700 millas cuadradas) y el resto son más de 200 islas dispersas en tres archipiélagos : Zhongsha , Xisha y Nansha . Fue parte de Guangdong desde 1950 hasta 1988, después de lo cual se convirtió en una provincia propia y fue designada como zona económica especial por Deng Xiaoping , como parte del programa de reforma económica chino .
La población china han , que constituye la mayoría de la población con un 82%, habla una amplia variedad de idiomas, incluido el chino estándar , el min de Hainam , el chino yue , el cantonés , el chino hakka , etc. [6] Los pueblos indígenas como los hlai , un grupo étnico de habla kra-dai , son nativos de la isla y componen el 15% de la población. Sus lenguas nativas incluyen las lenguas hlai . El gobierno chino reconoce a los hlai como uno de los 56 grupos étnicos del país . Los hablantes de be , a pesar de hablar una lengua kra-dai, se consideran oficialmente como chinos étnicamente han. Hainan también es el hogar del idioma jiamao , de procedencia disputada.
La provincia de Hainan está formada por diez ciudades y diez condados importantes . La capital de la provincia es Haikou , en la costa norte de la isla de Hainan, mientras que Sanya es un conocido destino turístico en la costa sur. Las otras ciudades importantes son Wenchang , Sansha , Qionghai , Wanning , Wuzhishan , Dongfang y Danzhou .
Según las reivindicaciones territoriales de China , varios territorios en disputa en el Mar de China Meridional , incluidas las Islas Spratly ( Nansha ) y las Islas Paracel ( Xisha ), [7] están administrados por la ciudad de Sansha de la provincia. Si bien las Paracel están completamente bajo control de China, muchas de las Islas Spratly están controladas por otros países, como Vietnam y Filipinas . [8]
En 2020, el gobierno chino anunció un plan a gran escala para transformar toda la provincia insular en un puerto de libre comercio , con el objetivo de convertirla en el puerto de libre comercio más grande del mundo para 2035. El plan implica construir un centro de financiación offshore y compras libres de impuestos, así como utilizar impuestos más bajos y requisitos de visado reducidos para ayudar a atraer empresas y turistas extranjeros. Además, todos los bienes vendidos desde Hainan a otras partes de China se tratarían como importaciones a partir de 2025. [9] [10] [11] [12]
El nombre provincial deriva de su isla principal, Hainan, en hainanés "Hai Nam", que recibe su nombre por su posición al sur del estrecho de Qiongzhou . (Al norte del estrecho, la península de Leizhou en Guangdong también se conoce como Haibei/Hai Bac o "al norte del mar"). Los nombres anteriores de la isla de Hainan incluyen Zhuya , Qiongya y Qiongzhou . Los dos últimos dieron lugar a la abreviatura provincial 琼( Qióng/Kheng ).
Durante los siglos XVII y XVIII, los exploradores se refirieron a la isla como " Aynam ", [13] [14] que sigue siendo la pronunciación de su nombre en el dialecto hainanés local .
Según algunos estudiosos, Hainan estaba originalmente unida a la parte noreste de lo que hoy es Vietnam ; sin embargo, la isla se formó después de separarse físicamente de Vietnam debido a una erupción volcánica y desplazarse hacia el sureste cerca de China después del Mesozoico , hace millones de años. [15]
Los Baiyue se encuentran entre los primeros habitantes de Kra-Dai que llegaron a la isla de Hainan. Se cree que se establecieron allí hace al menos entre 2.000 y 6.000 años y tienen marcadores genéticos de pueblos antiguos que llegaron a la isla hace entre 7.000 y 27.000 años. [16]
La isla de Hainan fue registrada por funcionarios chinos en 110 a. C., cuando la dinastía Han Occidental estableció una guarnición militar allí tras la llegada del general Lu Bode . El proceso de sinización en Hainan fue impulsado por la conjunción de la expansión territorial Han y la llegada de personal militar y administrativo chino Han que se estableció en la isla. A lo largo de muchos siglos, las autoridades gobernantes chinas dinásticas exiliaron a los individuos condenados por las cortes imperiales como criminales o disidentes políticos y fueron desterrados con frecuencia a la isla de Hainan y al norte de Vietnam, regiones que eran partes integrales gobernadas típicamente bajo la jurisdicción de la provincia de Guangdong durante diferentes dinastías chinas, donde fueron sometidos a trabajos duros en el clima tropical como forma de castigo.
Uno de los exiliados más famosos fue Su Shi , un conocido intelectual, poeta y político de la era Song, que ofendió a muchos de sus colegas y superiores en la corte real. Shi escribió extensamente sobre sus experiencias de exilio en la isla durante el siglo XI d. C. Después del siglo XI d. C., un gran número de chinos han de Fujian y Guangdong comenzaron a migrar a la península de Leizhou y la isla de Hainan para establecerse en busca de pastos más verdes en nuevas tierras donde establecerse. Esta afluencia desplazó al pueblo indígena Li, que se encontraba entre las tribus Baiyue en el sur de China, expulsándolos hacia las regiones montañosas de la parte sur de la isla. Hainan fue puesta bajo la administración de Guangdong por la dinastía gobernante Ming.
Hainan fue históricamente parte de las provincias de Guangdong y Guangxi y como tal fue el Circuito Qiongya (瓊崖道) bajo el establecimiento de la República de China en 1912. En 1921, se planeó convertirse en una región administrativa especial (瓊崖特別行政區); en 1944, se convirtió en la Región Administrativa Especial de Hainan con 16 condados , incluidas las Islas del Mar de China Meridional .
Durante los años 1920 y 1930, Hainan fue un foco de bandidaje, muchos políticos de la oposición [ aclaración necesaria ] fueron ahorcados, por lo tanto, los políticos de la oposición se escondieron. Los comunistas y el pueblo indígena Hlai libraron una vigorosa campaña de guerrillas contra los japoneses, que solo pudieron ocupar algunos territorios de Hainan; pero en represalia, los japoneses lanzaron numerosas masacres contra las aldeas Hlai. Feng Baiju lideró la Columna Independiente de Hainan de combatientes durante los años 1930 y 1940. Después de la rendición japonesa en 1945, el Kuomintang restableció el control. Hainan fue una de las últimas áreas en quedar bajo la administración de la República Popular, habiendo estado bajo el control de las fuerzas de la ROC hasta marzo de 1950. La República Popular atacó Hainan el 10 de abril de 1950 y obtuvo el control completo el 1 de mayo.
El 1 de mayo de 1950, bajo la República Popular China, la Región Administrativa Especial de Hainan se convirtió en una Oficina de la Región Administrativa (海南行政区公署), una rama del gobierno provincial de Guangdong. A mediados de la década de 1980, cuando la isla de Hainan todavía formaba parte de la provincia de Guangdong, un episodio de catorce meses de celo comercial por parte del administrador del Distrito Especial de Hainan, Lei Yu [17], puso en duda la aspiración de Hainan de obtener el estatus provincial. Implicaba la importación libre de impuestos desde Hong Kong de 90.000 automóviles y camiones fabricados en Japón a un costo de ¥ 4.500 millones (US$ 1.500 millones), y su exportación -con la ayuda de unidades navales locales- al continente, obteniendo ganancias del 150%. En comparación, desde 1950, Hainan sólo importó 10.000 vehículos, a los que se suman 2,9 millones de televisores, 252.000 grabadoras de vídeo y 122.000 motocicletas. El dinero se tomó de los fondos del gobierno central de 1983 destinados a la construcción de la infraestructura de transporte de la isla (carreteras, ferrocarriles, aeropuertos, puertos) durante los diez años siguientes. [ cita requerida ]
El 1 de octubre de 1984, se convirtió en la Región Administrativa de Hainan (海南行政区), con su propio Gobierno Popular, y finalmente, cuatro años más tarde, en una provincia separada de Guangdong . En 1988, cuando la isla se convirtió en una provincia separada, se la designó Zona Económica Especial en un esfuerzo por aumentar la inversión.
Las autoridades de Hainan consideraron que los fondos del gobierno central eran insuficientes para la construcción de otras infraestructuras de la isla (por ejemplo, obras hidráulicas, centrales eléctricas, telecomunicaciones) y adoptaron una interpretación muy liberal de las normas económicas y comerciales para Hainan y las trece ciudades costeras; las normas no mencionaban la prohibición de la reventa de bienes de segunda mano. El gobierno central recuperó posteriormente parte de los ingresos procedentes de las unidades no vendidas para refinanciar el distrito especial.
En junio de 2020, China anunció un plan maestro para el sistema de puertos de libre comercio de Hainan. Según anunció la agencia de noticias estatal Xinhua, Hainan "establecerá básicamente un sistema de puertos de libre comercio para 2025 y se volverá más maduro para 2035". [18] [19] El South China Morning Post describió esta iniciativa como un esfuerzo de la República Popular China para "reemplazar a Hong Kong como centro comercial", mientras que Cheng Shi de ICBC International se ha negado a aceptar tal afirmación. [20] [21] Además, los expertos han expresado su preocupación por la cuestión del cumplimiento de las prácticas comerciales globales, en particular para este proyecto. [22] [23]
La isla de Hainan, separada de la península de Leizhou de Guangdong por el estrecho de Qiongzhou de 20 km (12 mi) de ancho , es la 42.ª más grande del mundo. La superficie de la isla de Hainan (32.900 km2 ( 12.700 millas cuadradas), el 97% de la provincia) es ligeramente menor que la de la isla de Taiwán . Al oeste de la isla de Hainan se encuentra el golfo de Tonkín . La montaña Wuzhi es la montaña más alta de la isla, con 1.840 m (6.040 pies).
La isla de Hainan mide 288 km (179 millas) de largo y 180 km (110 millas) de ancho.
La mitad norte de Hainan está cubierta por el antiguo campo volcánico de Hainan . Debajo de la capa superior del suelo hay roca volcánica , mientras que la capa superior del suelo en sí contiene pequeños fragmentos de esta roca vesicular .
Los humedales cubren 320.000 hectáreas, de las cuales 78.000 hectáreas fueron creadas artificialmente. La mayor parte de ellas se encuentran en la parte oriental y septentrional de Hainan. [24]
La mayoría de los ríos de Hainan nacen en la zona central de la isla y fluyen radialmente en diferentes direcciones. El río Nandu, en la parte norte de la isla, tiene 314 km (195 mi) de longitud, y su afluente , el río Xinwu, tiene 109 km (68 mi) de longitud. Otros ríos importantes son el río Wanquan , de 162 km (101 mi) de longitud en el este, el río Changhua en el oeste y los ríos Sanya y Taiyang en el sur. La evaporación durante la estación seca en las zonas costeras reduce en gran medida el caudal de los ríos.
Hay muy pocos lagos naturales en Hainan, sin embargo, hay numerosos embalses , el más grande de los cuales es el embalse de Songtao en la zona centro-norte.
Existen varias islas pequeñas alrededor de la costa de la isla de Hainan:
Debido a su proximidad a la isla principal, la flora, la fauna y el clima son muy similares.
Sansha reclama y administra varias islas pequeñas, ubicadas a cientos de kilómetros al sur, como parte de la provincia de Hainan. [25] Sin embargo, se disputa la soberanía de estas islas. Estas islas incluyen:
En comparación con la mayor parte de China continental, la calidad del aire de Hainan es significativamente mejor, ya que no se ve afectada por la contaminación de las fábricas, que ha afectado negativamente al aire en el continente. A lo largo de 2012, Hainan tuvo la mejor calidad del aire del país durante 351 días. [ cita requerida ]
La campaña de protección ambiental del gobierno provincial ha tomado medidas contra varias plantas industriales. Durante 2012, se revocaron las licencias comerciales de varias instalaciones de fabricación obsoletas y se tramitaron 175 casos relacionados con el vertido ilegal de aguas residuales. [ cita requerida ]
Las emisiones totales de dióxido de azufre de la provincia fueron de 34.000 toneladas en 2012, lo que representa una reducción interanual del 3 por ciento. En 2011, las emisiones de smog se redujeron un 6,3 por ciento, hasta 15.000 toneladas. [ cita requerida ]
Las áreas protegidas incluyen las reservas naturales de Yinggeling -Limushan y Wuzhishan -Diaoluoshan. [26]
El clima de Hainan es mayoritariamente tropical. Las dos ciudades más grandes de la isla, Haikou y Sanya , poseen un clima tropical de Köppen . La temperatura media anual oscila entre 23 y 28 °C (73 a 82 °F), Haikou es de 24,7 °C (76,5 °F), Sanya es de 26,5 °C (79,7 °F). Los meses más fríos son enero, cuando las temperaturas bajan a 17 a 24 °C (63 a 75 °F); los meses más cálidos son junio y julio, y las temperaturas son de 26 a 31 °C (79 a 88 °F). La temperatura media diaria en Hainan en todos los meses está muy por encima de los 10 °C (50 °F).
El verano en la parte norte es más caluroso y, durante más de 20 días al año, la temperatura puede ser superior a 35 °C (95 °F) [ cita requerida ] )
La precipitación media anual es de 1.500 a 2.000 milímetros (59 a 79 pulgadas) y puede llegar a 2.400 milímetros (94 pulgadas) en las zonas centrales y orientales, y a 900 milímetros (35 pulgadas) en las zonas costeras del suroeste. Algunas partes de Hainan se encuentran en la trayectoria de los tifones , y el 70% de la precipitación anual se deriva de los tifones y de la temporada de lluvias de verano. Los tifones causan grandes inundaciones, que pueden causar muchos problemas a los residentes locales.
De enero a febrero, la isla de Hainan suele verse afectada por una espesa niebla, especialmente en las zonas costeras y en la parte norte de la isla. Esto se debe a que el aire frío del invierno procedente del norte entra en contacto con el mar, más cálido, lo que hace que la humedad que se evapora del mar se condense en forma de niebla. La niebla permanece de día a noche y se distribuye de manera uniforme. La visibilidad puede reducirse a 50 metros (160 pies) durante días seguidos. Durante este período, los residentes suelen mantener las ventanas cerradas. La humedad en el aire es tan extrema que las paredes de las casas supuran y los pisos a menudo acumulan una capa de agua. [ cita requerida ]
Hainan tiene más de 1.500 km² ( 580 millas cuadradas) de bosque tropical, en el que se pueden encontrar más de 4.600 tipos de plantas y más de 570 especies de animales. [28] La base de datos de observación de la naturaleza iNaturalist.org enumera actualmente 6.687 especies de plantas, animales y hongos que se han observado en la isla de Hainan (en 2024). [28] Sin embargo, en los tiempos modernos, el equilibrio natural de la pequeña isla se ha visto amenazado, en gran parte debido a la introducción de especies exóticas , así como a los impactos humanos del turismo , la deforestación y el uso de herbicidas , pesticidas y otros contaminantes similares . Un informe del Departamento de Tierras, Medio Ambiente y Recursos de la provincia de Hainan afirma que 200 especies están cerca de la extinción, y seis especies de plantas, como Maytenus hainanensis y Sciaphila tenella , han sido declaradas extintas. [29]
La isla está cubierta por dos ecorregiones: los bosques subtropicales perennes del sur de China y Vietnam cubren las tierras bajas y se extienden hasta el continente adyacente; y las selvas monzónicas de la isla de Hainan cubren el interior de la isla e incluyen selvas pluviales de montaña con un clima más estacional y más árboles caducifolios . [26]
La mayor parte de la superficie de Hainan está cubierta de bosques, con un 61,5% de la superficie total. A finales de 2012, se informó de casi 210.000 hectáreas (518.921 acres) de cubierta forestal, un aumento de 34.133 hectáreas (84.340 acres) con respecto al año anterior. Se han plantado otras 1.187 hectáreas (2.930 acres) de pastos y árboles a lo largo de las carreteras de la provincia. [30]
Hay alrededor de 53 géneros , pertenecientes a 29 familias , de frutas silvestres , hierbas y otros cultivos importantes que crecen en Hainan, tanto nativos como introducidos, incluidos varios tipos de plátano ( Musa sp.), así como anacardo ( Anacardium occidentale ), mango ( Mangifera indica ), agave de fibra ( Agave sisalana ), piña ( Ananas comosus ), melón amargo ( Momordica charantia ), calabaza hiedra ( Coccinia grandis ), taro gigante ( Alocasia macrorrhizos ), taro asiático ( A. odora ), espinaca de Malabar ( Basella alba ) y papaya ( Carica papaya ). [31] También crecen en la isla cuatro especies de pimienta , incluida la económicamente significativa pimienta negra ( Piper nigrum ). En Hainan crecen al menos 25-30 especies pertenecientes al orden Zingiberales , incluyendo numerosos tipos de jengibre , galanga , canna , cúrcuma ( Curcuma sp.) y plantas de oración ( Marantaceae ), entre otras. Los cocos ( Cocos sp.) son una vista bastante común a lo largo de la costa. Los árboles que se encuentran en Hainan incluyen al menos 18 especies de Ficus , el pino blanco de Hainan ( Pinus fenzeliana ), el pino Tenasserim ( Pinus lateri ) y varias especies de orquídeas ( Bauhinia ).
Se conocen 4.200 especies de plantas nativas de la isla, incluidas varias especies endémicas , como las de los géneros Wenchengia y Metapetrocosmea . [26] Además, los géneros Cathayanthe y Chunia se encuentran solo en Hainan y en el norte de Vietnam.
Las especies botánicas notables incluyen:
Incluso con más de diez millones de habitantes humanos, Hainan contiene varias áreas protegidas y reservas de vida silvestre. Las especies más pequeñas más omnipresentes en la isla incluyen animales como ranas , sapos , gecos , eslizones y mariposas ; como en muchas regiones tropicales adyacentes, los artrópodos y los invertebrados están bien representados aquí, y los mosquitos son naturalmente muy comunes en ciertas épocas del año. Los enjambres de insectos voladores que pican realmente juegan un papel clave en las cadenas alimentarias y los ecosistemas de la isla , no solo siendo consumidos por muchas otras especies (como murciélagos y pájaros ), sino que sirven como polinizadores para muchos tipos de plantas con flores . Los lagos y vías fluviales de Hainan están poblados por varios peces de agua dulce, como carpas y bagres , cuyos alevines consumen fácilmente tanto los huevos como las larvas de mosquitos (puestos en la superficie del agua) para su sustento.
En Hainan se encuentran alrededor de 100 especies de mamíferos , siendo el gibón de cresta negra de Hainan ( Nomascus hainanus ), la liebre de Hainan ( Lepus hainanus ), la gimnura de Hainan o rata lunar ( Neohylomys hainanensis ) y la ardilla voladora de Hainan ( Hylopetes electilis ) todas endémicas de la isla. Los mamíferos nativos más grandes incluyen el oso negro asiático o "luna" ( Ursus thibetanus ), el sambar ( Rusa unicolor ), la nutria euroasiática ( L. lutra ), la mangosta cangrejera ( Herpestes urva ) y el gato leopardo ( Felis bengalensis ), que se consideran una especie de preocupación para la conservación. [26] Otros mamíferos incluyen las ardillas listadas siberianas ( Tamias sibiricus ), las ardillas, las civetas palmeras enmascaradas y la comadreja de vientre amarillo .
Se conocen 362 especies de aves. [29] Las aves marinas como las gaviotas no suelen verse. Las garcetas y los milanos alinegros son comunes en las zonas agrícolas. La perdiz de Hainan , la garza nocturna orejiblanca , la curruca de Hainan y el trepador de pico amarillo son endémicas de la isla. [26]
Sigilosas y a veces menos comunes son las serpientes , como la víbora de palma asiática , la serpiente de bambú roja y las cobras.
En los mares que rodean Hainan, las tortugas marinas y los tiburones ballena son visitantes habituales.
La isla de Hainan tiene una rica biodiversidad de cetáceos y es el sitio de estudio de estos en aguas chinas. [32] Muchas ballenas como las ballenas francas del Pacífico Norte , las ballenas grises occidentales , las ballenas jorobadas y las ballenas azules (todas ellas están casi extintas en aguas chinas) [33] fueron vistas históricamente en invierno y primavera para aparearse y parir. Estos gentiles gigantes del mar habían sido cazados intensamente y fueron aniquilados por los balleneros japoneses (estaciones balleneras establecidas en varios sitios en las costas chinas y coreanas, incluyendo Hainan y Daya Bay ). Es posible que aún se encuentren algunas ballenas de Bryde y ballenas minke en las aguas adyacentes junto con la península de Leizhou y el golfo de Tonkín . [34] [35] Especies más pequeñas de ballenas y delfines , como las ballenas piloto de aleta corta [36] y los delfines moteados pantropicales , [37] pero sobre todo el delfín blanco chino en peligro de extinción . El santuario declarado para la especie se extiende a lo largo de las costas. Estos delfines pueden aparecer en aguas más claras, como las cercanas a Sanya . [38]
Los dugongos todavía se encuentran en pequeñas cantidades, principalmente en el lado del Golfo de Tonkín .
Las especies notables incluyen:
La densidad de población de Hainan es baja en comparación con la mayoría de las provincias costeras chinas.
En 2000, los grupos étnicos de Hainan incluían a los chinos han-hainaneses , que son la mayoría (84% de la población) y hablan la lengua min, los li (hlai) (14,7% de la población); los miao (0,7%) y los zhuang (0,6%). [ cita requerida ] Los li, que hablan una lengua tai-kradai, son el grupo indígena más grande de la isla en términos de población. También se encuentran en la isla los utsuls , descendientes de refugiados cham , que están clasificados como hui por el gobierno chino debido a su religión islámica. Hay una comunidad tanka que vive en la bahía de Sanya. [39]
El pueblo Li reside principalmente en las nueve ciudades y condados en la parte media y sur de Hainan: las ciudades de Sanya, Wuzhishan y Dongfang, los condados autónomos Li de Baisha , Lingshui, Ledong, Changjiang y los condados autónomos Li y Miao de Qiongzhong y Baoting . Algunos otros viven en otras partes de Hainan con otros grupos étnicos en Danzhou, Wanning, Qionghai, Lingshui y Tunchang. El área habitada por el grupo étnico Li asciende a un total de 18.700 kilómetros cuadrados (7.200 millas cuadradas), aproximadamente el 55 por ciento del total de la provincia. [40]
Aunque son indígenas de la isla y no hablan chino, los habitantes de Limgao (Ong-Be), cercanos a la capital (8% de la población de Hainan), son considerados chinos Han por el gobierno chino.
La mayor parte de la población de Hainan practica la religión popular china y el budismo chino . La población Li tiene una minoría budista Theravada . La mayoría de los Utsuls de la isla, una rama del pueblo Cham que vive cerca de Sanya , son musulmanes . Debido a que Hainan fue un punto en la ruta de viaje de los misioneros, hay algunos cristianos . Según la Encuesta Social General China de 2009, los cristianos constituyen el 0,48% de la población de la provincia. [41]
El parque Nanshan es el centro del budismo en Hainan. Abarca más de 50 km2 de bosque. El sitio incluye innumerables templos, estatuas y jardines espirituales, como el Jardín del Salvador y el Valle de la Longevidad, con setos cuidadosamente recortados y abundantes flores de loto, un símbolo venerado en el budismo que significa virtud o pureza.
En el corazón del valle se encuentra el gran templo Nanshan , con sus puertas flanqueadas por figuras de piedra de Buda frente a la entrada de estilo de la dinastía Tang. El interior muestra imágenes de los Cuatro Reyes Celestiales entre estatuas de otras deidades consagradas en representaciones de piedra, oro y jade.
Tal vez [ palabras equívocas ] el sitio más popular [ ¿según quién? ] dentro de la Zona Cultural Budista de Nanshan es la imponente [ ¿según quién? ] representación en piedra del Bodhisattva Guan Yin, emergiendo del Mar de China Meridional para alzarse a 108 metros [ cita requerida ] , más alto que la Estatua de la Libertad [ cita requerida ] .
La Zona Cultural Budista de Nanshan es visitada por miles de turistas y peregrinos cada año que vienen a rendir homenaje al sitio que juega un papel importante en la religión en China y a probar algunos de los mejores platos veganos budistas de la isla. [42]
La mayoría de la gente de Hainan habla una variedad del chino min, conocida como hainanés . También se hablan otras variedades del chino y otros idiomas:
Standard Mandarin serves as a lingua franca between different ethnic groups. Adults who are members of a minority also have quite high literacy skills in Chinese. Most adults speak several Chinese dialects, and some also speak Li.
When Chams interact with the Hainanese dialect speakers from within Hainan Province, they use the Hainanese dialect, though youngsters generally use Mandarin. Not many can communicate in Li, so the Hainanese dialect or Mandarin is often used.
In the market place and within the Sanya Municipality, the Cham speakers use Cham among themselves, and with others mostly use the Hainanese dialect. However, in the market places near the government seat of Yanglan Township, the Chams either use the Hainanese dialect or the Mai dialect.[43]
The people of Hainan live longer than those on the mainland. At the end of 2017, there were 1,565 centenarians in Hainan. For every 100,000 people in the province, 17.13 were centenarians. As of 8 March 2018, there were 287,700 residents over 80 years of age, making up 3.15% of the population.[44]
Even while Hainan Island was a part of Guangdong it had a considerable amount of local autonomy; the southern half of the island was an autonomous prefecture. Hainan's elevation to provincial level in 1988 increased its accountability to the Central People's Government, but by designating the new province a special economic zone the central government expressed its intent to allow Hainan maximum flexibility in devising programs to facilitate foreign investment and economic growth. Administratively, the province has been divided into five economic major districts.[citation needed]
The politics of Hainan is structured in a dual party-government system like all other governing institutions in mainland China.
The Governor of Hainan is the highest-ranking official in the People's Government of Hainan. However, in the province's dual party-government governing system, the Governor has less power than the Hainan Chinese Communist Party Provincial Committee Secretary or CCP Party Chief. The current Hainan Party Chief is Shen Xiaoming.
On 13 April 1988, the First Session of the Seventh National People's Congress decided to establish Hainan Province, and at the same time granted the Hainan Provincial People's Congress and its Standing Committee special legislative power.[45] After the 2019 free trade port plan is proposed, Hainan can enact legislation in economic, cultural, local affairs, social management, etc., and implement it in the Hainan Free Trade Zone (port).[46]
Per the research conducted by Information Warfare Monitor, Hainan is the physical location of GhostNet. The Chinese government has officially denied the existence of a cyber war and intelligence operations anywhere on the island.
In the official PRC territorial claim, Hainan Province includes not just one island, but also some two hundred South China Sea Islands. While the containment of the South China Sea Islands means that Hainan Province has a very large water body, it has a disproportionally small land area. James Shoal (曾母暗沙, Zēngmǔ Ànshā), which is presently marked by the PRC, signifies the country's southernmost border. But Malaysia also claims that it is on their continental shelf.
Hainan Province uses a slightly different administrative system than the other provinces of China. Most other provinces are divided entirely into prefecture-level divisions, each of which is then divided entirely into county-level divisions. County-level divisions generally do not come directly under the province. In Hainan, nearly all county-level divisions (the eight districts excepted) come directly under the province. This method of division is due to Hainan's relatively sparse population, totaling 9.26 million as of 2017.[47]
Hainan Island is home to the People's Liberation Army Navy Hainan Submarine Base and strategic nuclear submarine naval harbor at Yalong Bay.[54] The naval base is estimated to be 60 feet (18 m) high, built into hillsides around a military base. The caverns are capable of hiding up to 20 nuclear submarines from spy satellites. The harbor houses nuclear ballistic missile submarines and is large enough to accommodate aircraft carriers. The U.S. Department of Defense has estimated that China will have five type 094 submarines operational by 2010 with each capable of carrying 12 JL-2 ballistic missiles. Two 950-meter (3,120 ft) piers and three smaller ones would be enough to accommodate two carrier strike groups or amphibious assault ships.
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Hainan's economy is predominantly agricultural, and more than a half of the island's exports are agricultural products. Hainan's elevation to province-level status (1988), however, was accompanied by its designation as China's largest "special economic zone", the intent being to hasten the development of the island's plentiful resources. Prior to this, the province had a reputation for being a "Wild West" area, largely untouched by industrialization; even today there are relatively few factories in the province. Tourism plays an important part of Hainan's economy, thanks largely to its tropical beaches and lush forests. The central government has encouraged foreign investment in Hainan and has allowed the island to rely to a large extent on market forces.[55]
Hainan's industrial development largely has been limited to the processing of its mineral and agricultural products, particularly rubber and iron ore. Since the 1950s, machinery, farm equipment, and textiles have been manufactured in the Haikou area for local consumption. A major constraint on industrial expansion has been an inadequate supply of electricity. Much of the island's generating capacity is hydroelectric, and it is subject to seasonal fluctuations in stream and river flows.[56]
In December 2009, the government of China announced that it plans to establish Hainan as an "international tourist destination" by 2020.[57] This announcement contributed to a surge in the province's economy, with a year-on-year increase in investment of 136.9% in the first three months of 2010. Hainan's real estate sector accounted for more than one third of the province's economic growth.[58]
According to the Statistical Communiqué of National Economic and Social Development of the statistical authority, the GDP of Hainan Province in 2017 was 446.3 billion yuan (66.1 billion US dollars), up by 7.0 percent over the previous year. Of this total, the value added of the primary industry was 97.9 billion yuan (14.5 billion US dollars), up by 3.6 percent, that of the secondary industry was 99.7 billion yuan (14.8 billion US dollars), up by 2.7 percent and that of the tertiary industry was 248.6 billion yuan (36.8 billion US dollars), up by 10.2 percent. The value added of the primary industry accounted for 21.95 percent of the GDP; that of the secondary industry accounted for 22.34 percent; and that of the tertiary industry accounted for 55.71 percent. The per capita GDP in 2017 was 48,430 yuan (7,173 US dollars).[59]
Owing to Hainan's tropical climate, paddy rice is cultivated extensively in the northeastern lowlands and in the southern mountain valleys.[57] Leading crops other than rice include coconut, palm oil, sisal, tropical fruits (including pineapples, of which Hainan is China's leading producer), black pepper, coffee, tea, cashews, and sugarcane.
The hot Hainan yellow lantern chili, a variety similar to the scotch bonnet, is unique to the island, and is grown in the southeast and southwest.
The total tropical crop area of Hainan is 100,000 hectares.[60]
Hainan is a major rubber producer. In the early 20th century Chinese emigrants returning from then British Malaya, introduced rubber trees to the island; after 1950, state farms were developed, and Hainan now produces a substantial amount of China's rubber. Natural rubber is now grown on 246,000 hectares of land. This ranks 6th in the world in harvest area and 5th in terms of output.[60]
Hainan has almost 93,000 hectares of areca palms. The product, the areca nut, is consumed locally and also sent to the mainland. Ninety-five percent of China's production of this nut is produced in Hainan.[61]
Domesticated farm animals comprise mainly goats, cows, water buffalo, chickens, geese and ducks.
Grouper, Spanish mackerel, and tuna[citation needed] constitute the bulk of the catch from offshore fishing grounds. Scallops and pearls are raised in shallow bays and basins for local use and export.
Shrimp production is estimated to have been 120,000 to 150,000 metric tons (130,000 to 170,000 short tons) in 2007, more than 50% of which was exported. Hainan has over 400 hatcheries, most being located between Wenchang and Qionghai.
Tilapia production in 2008 was 300,000 metric tons (330,000 short tons). The island has an estimated 100,000 local, commercial fish farming families.[62]
Hainan Island is often divided into eight regions for tourism purposes: Haikou and area (Haikou, Qiongshan, Ding'an); the Northeast (Wenchang); the Central East Coast (Qionghai, Ding'an); the South East Coast; the South (Sanya); the West Coast also called the Chinese Riviera (Ledong, Dongfang, Xianghsui, Changjiang); the North West (Danzhou, Lingao, Chengmai); and the Central Highlands (Baisha, Qiongzhong, and Wuzhishan/Tongzha).
Popular tourist destinations include the beaches and resorts in the southern part of the province. Inland is Five Finger Mountain, a scenic area. Tourists also visit the capital of Haikou with area visitor attractions such as Movie Town Haikou and Holiday Beach.
In 2000, the province initiated a visa-upon-arrival policy for foreign tourist groups. It is available to citizens of twenty-six different countries, and was established in order to attract visitors.
Beginning 1 May 2018, citizens of 59 countries will be able to visit Hainan for 30 days without requiring a visa, provided that they come on a tour via a travel agency. Countries included among the 59 are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[63]
During 2008, 20.6 million tourists visited Hainan, producing total revenues of 19.23 billion yuan (US$2.81 billion). Of these tourists, 979,800 were from overseas with the largest numbers coming from South Korea, Russia and Japan.[64]
In 2010, the amount of overnight tourists visiting Hainan was 25.87 million, 663,000 of which came from outside China.[65]
During 2011, more than 30 million tourists visited Hainan, mostly from mainland China. Of the 814,600 overseas tourists, 227,600 of them came from Russia, a 53.3 percent a rise year-on-year.[66] Total revenue during that year was 32 billion RMB ($4.3 billion US), up 25 percent from 2010.[67]
In the first quarter of 2012, the Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission reports that Hainan received 208,300 overnight visitors, 25 percent of whom came from Russia.[66]
In 2014, Hainan received 50.2 million tourists, 660,000 of whom were from overseas.[68]
During 2015, Hainan received 53 million visitors.[69]
In 2016, over 60 million tourists went to Hainan, up 12.9% from 2015.[70]
During 2018, the province received over 76 million domestic and overseas tourists, a year-on-year increase of 11.8%. Revenue also increased 14.5% compared to the previous year for a total of 95 billion RMB (US$14 billion).[71][72]
The government of Hainan is expanding the province's medical tourism industry.[73][74] The provincial government has established the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in the Bo'ao area. The zone is located six kilometers from the Boao Forum for Asia and covers 20 square kilometers.[75] This was announced at the Boao Forum for Asia in 2011.[76] The State Council has approved the development of Lecheng Island[77] as a medical tourism-themed destination.[78] Lecheng Island is a small island in the Wanquan River about 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the coastal town of Bo'ao on the west coast of the province. Construction on the 20 km2. The zone was begun in December 2014 and will cost a projected 1.5 billion yuan. It was scheduled for completion in 2016 and is the first special zone for medical travel in China.[79] As part of the zone, the Boao Super Hospital opened in 2018.
Haikou is the province's capital and contains interesting historic sites. Also known as Coconut City, Haikou is a major port. The Five Officials Temple (Chinese: 五公祠; pinyin: Wǔgōng cí, 20°0′35.79″N 110°21′17.34″E / 20.0099417°N 110.3548167°E / 20.0099417; 110.3548167) consists of five traditional temples and halls that were built in honor of five officials of the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties. These officials were banished to Hainan for periods ranging from 11 days to 11 years for speaking out against what they felt were wrong practices by the emperors. (It is perhaps significant that the establishment of the Five Officials Temple in the late 19th century coincides with a time when China's territorial integrity was under threat, and that several of the officials honored here were exiled for espousing aggressive policies on the recapture of the north of China from the Jurchens during the Southern Song dynasty.)
Xiuying Fort was built in 1891 to defend the southeastern corner of China during the Sino-French War. The Xiuying Fort Barbette covers about a third of an acre. Its five large cannons are still intact and viewable at the site.
The Tomb of Hai Rui (20°0′29.66″N 110°17′30.18″E / 20.0082389°N 110.2917167°E / 20.0082389; 110.2917167) is a key national cultural protection site. Hai Rui was a compassionate and popular official of Hainanese origins who lived during the Ming dynasty. He was famous for his lifelong honesty and his willingness to speak out on behalf of local people. In later life, Hai Rui was persecuted and fell out of favor with the emperor. His admirers built the Hai Rui Tomb after his death to commemorate his great works. Construction of the tomb began in 1589.
The Yangpu Ancient Salt Field is a heritage site in Yantian village on Yangpu Peninsula. The area comprises more than 1,000 stones, cut flat on top, used to dry seawater to produce salt.
Hainan Island has a number of beaches, hot springs and other attractions. Some top scenic sites include Yalong bay National Resort; Dadonghai Tourist Resort; Qizhi Shan (Seven Finger Mountain), Nuilin mountain tropical botanical reserve in Lingshui county, Guantang Hot Spring Resort, Shishan Volcanic Garden; the Wanquan River, Baishi Ridge Scenic Zone and Baihua Ridge.
Other attractions in Hainan include:
To encourage the international yachting community, new regulations now allow foreign yachts to stay for a total of 183 days each year, with a maximum single stay duration of 30 days. 13 additional ports will be built around the island to accommodate this market.[65]
On 20 April 2011, a pilot duty-free program commenced with the aim of increasing luxury goods purchases. It permits domestic Chinese visitors to claim tax refunds on imported luxury items purchased within the province. The maximum value is set at 5,000 yuan (US$762), with lowered tax rates on purchases over 5,000 yuan.[80] In October 2012, duty limits were raised to 8,000 yuan ($1,273), and became available to both domestic and international tourists.[81]
The total sales of duty-free products for 2012 was 2.4 billion yuan.[82]
The world's largest duty-free shopping complex is scheduled to open in Haitang Bay in August 2014.[83]
During 2018 Spring Festival, Hainan recorded a 25% increase in duty-free revenue, with 450 million yuan ($71 million) in sales. The two duty-free shops, located in Sanya and Haikou, received about 99,000 customers, a 32% gain.[84]
During 2018, the two duty-free shops had sales of more than 10 billion RMB and received 2.88 million customers.[71]
Hainan has commercially exploitable reserves of more than 30 minerals. Iron, first mined by the Japanese during their occupation of the island in World War II, is the most important. Also important are titanium, manganese, tungsten, bauxite, molybdenum, cobalt, copper, gold, and silver. There are large deposits of lignite and oil shale on the island, and significant offshore finds of oil and natural gas have been discovered. Virgin forests in the interior mountains contain more than 20 commercially valuable species, including teak and sandalwood.
In 1990, Hainan province was the site of the largest property bust in modern Chinese history[57] With 2009 and the announcement of the Chinese Government's plan to develop the province into a major international tourist location, property sales rose by 73%, creating the possibility of another bubble in Hainan's property market.[57]
Since March 2010, commercial and residential property values in some parts of Hainan have slowed down since the market peaked in February. In March, average month-on-month transaction prices dropped 12.82% to 12,280 RMB per square meter, with a reduction in volume to 627,000 square meters (6,750,000 sq ft), a 19.05% decline. Later in April, prices declined 2.84% to 11,932 yuan per square metre, with a 57.59% decline in volume to 567,200 square meters (6,105,000 sq ft). Then in May prices declined a further 29.74% from the previous month to 8,483 yuan per square metre, with a 57.95% decline in volume to 229,000 square meters (2,460,000 sq ft).[85] However, property prices in the tourist resort of Sanya remain strong as of January 2011, with prime developments selling at prices of up to 80,000 RMB per square metre.
Data for 2016 data shows that Hainan saw an increase in house sales of 44%. Volume in sales was 129 billion RMB ($18.82 billion) which is a rise of 51.2 percent year-on-year. During that year in November, commercial apartments in Sanya sold for 20,695 RMB per square meter a rise of 15.75% year-on-year. The total amount of Sanya real estate sold during that time was 212,400 square meters.[86]
Out of China's twenty leading real estate developers, eighteen had invested in Hainan during 2016.[86]
In the beginning of 2017, the price for a house in Haikou was approximately 8,000 RMB ($1,170) per square meter and $20,000 RMB ($2,977) per square meter in Sanya.[87]
On 23 April 2018, new rules came into effect regarding home purchases in Hainan. To be able to buy a house, non-Hainan residents must prove that they have a minimum of one family member who has been paying taxes or social security for at least 2 years.
Those non-Hainan residents who wish to purchase a house in Haikou, Sanya and Qionghai must prove that they have a minimum of one family member who has been paying taxes or social security for at least 5 years.
In Wuzhishan, Baoting, Qiongzhong and Baisha (the "central ecological core areas"), houses may only be purchased by local residents.
When non-residents do buy a property, the down payment must be at least 70 per cent. In order to curb speculation, owners may not sell their property for five years after receiving their ownership certificate.[88]
This industry is expanding in Hainan, with numerous courses being constructed, including Mission Hills Haikou, which is one of the largest golf complexes in the world. The golf industry attracts foreign investment and overseas golfers from such countries as Australia, South Korea, and Japan.
Automotive manufacturing is one of Eight industrial pillar industries. Hainan's automotive output was 39,600 in 2017, down by 41.1 percent over the previous year. Domestic Chinese manufacturer,[59] Haima Automobile has its global headquarters in Haikou.
As of 2017, the total value of imports and exports of goods reached 70,237 million yuan (10,403 million US dollars). Of which, the value of goods exported was 29,566 million yuan (4,379 million US dollars), the value of goods imported was 40,671 million yuan (6,024 million US dollars).[59]
Asean was Hainan's largest export trade partner in 2017, the value of goods exported to Asean was 12,289 yuan (1,820 million US dollars), accounted for 41.56 per cent of the total value of goods exported. Its second-largest foreign trade partner was Hong Kong, the value of goods exported to Hong Kong was 2,966 yuan (439 million US dollars), accounted for 10.03 per cent of that. the 3rd largest partner was EU, the value of goods exported to EU was 2,186 yuan (324 million US dollars), accounted for 7.39 per cent of that.[59]
On 13 April 2018, Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping announced a plan to gradually make the island into a pilot free trade zone by 2020, and transform the entire island into a free trade port by 2025. This will involve inviting foreign and multi-national companies to set up their regional and international headquarters in Hainan.[89] Goods and services would be subject to low or even no tariffs. The zone will become China's largest free trade zone, and the first trade port since 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded.[90] Part of the plan is to establish exchanges in commodities and carbon trading, international energy, and shipping. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of service industries including tourism, the Internet, healthcare, finance, as well as conference and exhibitions hosting.[90]
Since the announcement in April 2018, Hainan had signed 159 contracts with major companies. In September 2018, China National Travel Service Group, China's biggest travel business conglomerate, relocated its headquarters from Beijing to Haikou. In October 2018, Baidu and Hainan signed a deal to build a 10-billion-yuan (US$1.45 billion) eco-village.[91]
In September 2018, a symposium was held in Beijing on foreign investment projects in Hainan. During that gathering, the Hainan government signed contracts with 26 international companies including Globevisa Group, Merlin Entertainments Group, Viacom, Ikea Group, Mapletree Investments, Avis Budget Group, Star Cruises, and Boehringer Ingelheim.[91]
To bring talented workers to Hainan, in November 2018 the Hainan government held a recruitment fair in Beijing in an effort to bring 7,471 people to Hainan to work in government agencies, companies, and other institutions.[92]
Established prior to this announcement, and currently in existence, are the following economic and technological development zones:
In 2021, Hainan Free Trade Port Law of the People's Republic of China was adopted by the National People's Congress and ratified under the No.85 Order of the President of the People's Republic of China in 2021.[93] According to the law, by 2025, feng guan (封关, which is directly translated into "customs closure") will be fully implemented and all goods sold to other parts of China from Hainan would be treated as imports, in a similar way as Hong Kong SAR.[94]
Before 1950 there were practically no transport links with the interior of the island. The first roads were built in the early 20th century, but no major road construction was undertaken in the mountains until the 1950s. Parallel north–south roads along the east and west coasts and through the interior of the island constitute most of Hainan's road network.
Hainan is the only province in China that does not have highway toll stations. This is due to the 1994 "fee-to-tax" reform.[90] Instead, road maintenance costs are raised through a 60% tax on fuel.[95]
There are several major highways and expressways linking Haikou on the north coast with Sanya on the south coast. The G224 is 309 kilometers long and runs through the middle of the province. The Hainan Ring Highway has three parts: The G225 is 429 km (267 mi) long and is the western part. For most of its length, the G225 runs parallel to the Hainan western ring railway. The G223 is the eastern part, running from Haikou to Sanya. It is 323 kilometers long. The G98 is a 612.8-kilometer-long orbital expressway that encircles the island. Hainan Highway 1, a new 1,040-km-long scenic highway, will be built around the island, along the coast starting in May 2019.[96]
There are also numerous rural roads within the province. These are typically two-way asphalt roads and connect larger towns. Connecting the thousands of villages to one another and to farms, are concrete roads about 6 meters wide. Many of these were built from roughly from the year 2000 onward, and as of 2019, are still being built.
While a bridge connecting Hainan to the Leizhou peninsula on the mainland was planned in the early 2000s it never came to fruition. A bridge or tunnel received continued consideration in 2018, as travel by air or ferry can leave residents and visitors isolated when bad weather sets in.[97]
Hainan Province has two international airports (Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport) and two domestic airports (Qionghai Bo'ao Airport and Danzhou Airport, the latter is under construction.)
Today's Hainan is ringed by standard-gauge railways. Since 2004, a rail ferry connects the island's railroad network to Guangdong, mainland China.[98] In 2005, Ministry of Communications allocated 20 million yuan (US$2.4 million) to set up a committee to research and study the possibility of a bridge or tunnel link connecting the island to the mainland.[99] From the ferry terminal, located near Haikou railway station (west of Haikou), freight and passenger trains arriving from the mainland can proceed on the Hainan western ring railway along the island's west coast, via Dongfang to Sanya. This railway line has been developed over several decades, starting with a few short 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge lines constructed during the Japanese occupation in the early 1940s.
There is a high-speed railway ring around the island, formed by the eastern ring and western ring along the island's coast. Both high-speed railways are connected with Haikou and Sanya. There are 15 stations along the east coast, and 16 stations along the west coast. Trains are designed to travel at 250 km/h (160 mph) on the east ring, and 200 km/h (120 mph) on the west ring. The total length of eastern ring is 308.11 km (191.45 mi), while the western ring is 344 kilometers (214 mi).[100] The first eastern ring high-speed train run started on 30 December 2010,[101] and the Hainan western ring high-speed railway started its operation in 2015.
Hainan received 11,000 tons of products via ports November 2010, up 90.1 percent month-on-month. Between January and November 2010, 102,000 tons of products were exported via Hainan, 34,000 tons of which were exported to the US, and 14,000 tons sent to the EU.[104]
From 2015 to the present, a widespread program to improve cities and other settlements in Hainan island has been taking place. It includes the removal of litter from towns, villages, and many roadsides. Small, illegal dumps are being removed. However, illegal dumping of construction debris still occurs on rural roads. Large, plastic dumpsters have been put in place within villages and at countryside road intersections. Towns are being improved with new road and sidewalk surfaces, landscaping features are being created, and many buildings are receiving new façades.
This initiative in Haikou has seen entire neighborhoods demolished and rebuilt, sanitation improved, illegal structures used for business removed, roadside vendors banned, roads and sidewalks replaced, and new street crossings with traffic lights installed.
Starting from 1 May 2018, citizens of following 59 countries do not need a visa if they visit Hainan Island and stay no more than 30 days.[105][106] In July 2019, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and National Immigration Administration announced an update and expansion of the visa-free entry options for foreign nationals in Hainan. In addition to the existing visa-free entry for tourists from 59 countries, foreign nationals are now allowed visa-free entry for various purposes, including business, trade, visiting, family reunification, medical treatment, conferences and exhibitions, sports competitions, and more (excluding work and study). Moreover, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and National Immigration Administration has extended the visa-free entry into Hainan by allowing individual self-application or entry through an entity invitation, replacing the previous invitation reception mode that involved travel agencies.[107]
In July 2019, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and National Immigration Administration announced updated preferential policies that applied to the Hainan Province (Hainan Free Trade Zone), including:[107]
Foreign students who have obtained a master's or higher degree from Chinese universities can apply for a residency permit of up to 2 years for innovation and entrepreneurship in Hainan with the recommendation of their affiliated universities. Foreign students studying at overseas universities are allowed to engage in regular internships at Hainan's star-rated hotels, hospitals, international schools, and other entities. With the required invitation letter from the relevant entity and proof of enrollment at a foreign university, they can apply for the necessary visas for their internships.[107]
Chinese of foreign nationalities with a Ph.D. degree working in Hainan, or Chinese of foreign nationalities who have worked continuously in Hainan for at least 4 years with an accumulated residency of no less than 6 months each year, are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Their foreign spouses and minor children can also apply for permanent residency together. Foreign individuals who invest in innovative enterprises in Hainan and maintain stable investments with good tax records for three consecutive years, recommended by the Hainan Provincial People's Government, can apply for permanent residency. Foreign individuals who have worked continuously in Hainan for 4 years and meet the income and personal income tax payment standards in Hainan are eligible to apply for permanent residency.[107]
The level of primary and secondary education has improved since 1949, but facilities for higher education remain somewhat inadequate.[citation needed]
As a frontier region celebrated by such exiled poets as Su Dongpo, Hainan acquired an air of mystery and romance. The influx of large numbers of mainlanders after 1950 – particularly in the 1970s, when young Chinese from southern Guangdong were assigned to state farms to help develop Hainan, and in the 1980s, when thousands more came to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered – has perpetuated the frontier atmosphere on the island.[citation needed]
In the late 1960s, the influx of sent-down youths (primarily from Guangdong) to Hainan island led to the use of the phrase, "being rooted in Hainan" to refer to commitment to the revolutionary cause.[108] By the early 1970s, the meaning of the phrase had evolved to refer to getting married and starting a family on the island.[108]
As well as programs from Central China Television (CCTV), Hainan has a number of local TV stations including Hainan TV and Haikou TV. The Chinese language Nanguo Metropolis Daily, Haikou Evening News, and Hainan Daily newspapers are published in Haikou.
A large film studio is located in the south part of Haikou. Movie Town Haikou comprises several studio buildings and an artificial town used as filming sets and a visitor attraction.
Hainan cuisine is said to be "lighter, with mild seasonings." A lot of local taste is mixed with the Han Chinese taste. Seafood predominates the menu, as shrimp, crab, fish and other sea life are widely available.
Wenchang chicken is a dish known throughout the province of Hainan. Although there are many varieties of this dish, the name is usually used to define a type of small, free-range chicken from Wenchang, located on the east coast of the province. As opposed to battery chickens, its meat has more texture and is somewhat drier.
Hainan chicken rice / Coibui is a famous dish in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Malaysia, bearing the region's name. However, while many restaurants use chicken fat to quickly add flavor to the dish, the proper local method is to 'marinate' the rice with chicken soup to add a more full flavor.
Numerous events are hosted or sponsored on the island, including:
One of China's satellite launch centers is located in Hainan east of the city of Wenchang. The Wenchang Space Launch Site, a 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) facility, is the closest Chinese launch center to the equator. The construction plan was first announced in October 2007. The new launch center began operations on 25 June 2016 with the Long March 7 rocket making its maiden flight.
The poet Su Shi (1036–1101) popularized Hainan's isolation and exoticism when he was exiled there under the Song dynasty. The Dongpo Academy was built on the site of the residence where he lived in exile.
Hai Rui (1514–1587) was a famous Chinese official of the Ming dynasty. His name has come down in history as a model of honesty and integrity in office.
Chih-Ping Chen (1906–1983) was a distinguished diplomat and statesman for the Republic of China, who served to build the Yunnan-Burma Road, and a diplomatic career that spanned four decades.
The most well-known native of Hainan is Chinese businessman, Charlie Soong, father of the Shanghai-born Soong sisters: Soong Ai-ling, wife of H. H. Kung (once China's richest man); Soong Ching-ling, wife of Sun Yat-Sen; and Soong Mei-ling, wife of former ROC President Chiang Kai-shek.
Wang Feifei (Fei), singer, actress, entertainer and member of girl group Miss A;
Wu Xuanyi, member of the South Korean-Chinese girl group WJSN
Hainan has international relationships with the following places:[113]
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