Events Related to Development of the Hainan International Tourism Island Project

Year 2009

• On January 12, the report of the Hainan People's Government's Request on Issues of building Hainan International Tourism Island was submitted to the State Council, and the Hainan Government asked for policy support.
• From January 11 to January 20, an investigation and survey group led by Pan Huili, Deputy Secretary-General of Hainan CPPCC, a conducted special investigation and survey of Okinawa Island of Japan, Cheju Island of South Korea and Bali Island of Indonesia.
• On February 18, Lu Zhiyuan, Director of Hainan Provincial Tourism Bureau signed an agreement on tourism cooperation framework with Gai Zhixin, President of CITS Group Corporation. It marked that they started all-round and in-depth cooperation.
• At the Hainan International Travel Island Tourism Promotion Meeting held in Hong Kong on February 20, Hainan government put stress on the promotion of visa free and landing visa policies to the consulate of Hong Kong.
• On March 1, an Hainan International Tourism Island image advertisement was first broadcast by CCTV-1 (China Central Television).
• In April, Premier Wen Jiabao said the infrastructure in south China's Hainan Province should be improved to make tourism a pillar of the island's economy.
• On May 28, a provincial commission for tourism development was set up to improve tourism services and administrative standards in the island and to coordinate administrative functions of a number of concerned departments.
• In May, the State Council has approved the establishment of downtown duty-free shops in Haikou, Sanya, Qionghai and Wanning.
• From June 23 to 26, a joint investigation group started investigation and survey to obtain information about the situation surrounded building the Hainan International Tourism Island by convening seminars, listening reports and field trips, and so on, which provided the basis and policy support for promoting the project.
• Sanya duty-free shopping mall opened on September 1. It was built by China Duty-free Co., Ltd, which is attached to CITS Group Co., Ltd, aimed initially at foreigners, overseas Chinese and Hong Kong, Macao compatriots at present.
• From November 13 to 16, the Seventh China (Haikou) International Tourist Commodities Fair was held at Haikou Convention and Exhibition Center.
• On December 14, Provincial Committee conference was hosted by Wei Liucheng, the Secretary of Hainan Provincial Party Committee and the Chairman of Standing Committee of Hainan Provincial People's Congress, pointing out that they should take the International Tourism Island building as a top priority next year.