Hainan to be key pilot trade zone

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with model workers and representatives of different occupations at a plaza of the Hainan Museum in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

The free-trade port in Hainan should live up to China's national conditions, reflect Hainan's definition of its own development, and draw lessons from advanced ways of managing international free-trade ports, the president said.

At the gathering, Xi unveiled the latest definition of Hainan's future role. It will be a pilot zone for comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up, a pilot zone for the country's ecological civilization, an international tourism and consumption center and a zone offering services and support for the country's major strategies.

Hainan should stay true to its mission, make good use of its new strategic position and continue to be a pioneer of reform and opening-up, Xi said.

He also announced plans to boost Hainan's development in specific areas, including service sectors, information technology, agriculture, scientific research and innovation, tourism, marine economy, ecology, education and talent.

The country supports Hainan's establishment of places for trading in such sectors as international energy, shipping, commodities, property rights and stock shares, Xi added.