Hainan, China's island province, plans to inject 220 billion yuan ($34.4 billion) in five years to enhance its transportation infrastructure to support construction of a free trade port, according to a comprehensive transportation plan released by the provincial government on Tuesday.
The five-year plan highlights the key task of building a first-class international aviation hub. Construction of a new airport will be launched during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) in Sanya, at the southern tip of the island, while the Phase III expansion of Haikou Meilan International Airport will be accelerated.
By 2025, the plan calls for Hainan's air transport network to become more competitive, reaching 130 domestic cities and 80 international destinations.
Hainan will also make construction of an international shipping hub a top priority in the 2021-25 periods. Efforts will also be made to build an international cruise portal, with a Sanya international cruise home port as the core and a Haikou international cruise departure port as an important component. A number of public yacht terminals will be developed to promote the yachting industry.
Also during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Hainan will boost the construction of an integrated intercity transportation network, providing convenient commuter transportation and integrated urban and rural transportation services, under the plan.