Wei Luicheng: Hainan is on the way to building int'l tourist island
Hainan's Communist Party chief Wei Liucheng addressed the opening session of annual Yangtz River Forum on January 22 and announced "we are on the way to building Hainan international tourist resort." He also invited thousands of the attending scholars and entrepreneurs to work together in construction of Hainan International Tourist Island.
"Green, pro-environment, low-carbon and sound," were the four basic features of international tourist island he described. He added that Hainan international tourist resort will focus on environmental protection to develop tourism and promote the modern service industry. Wei believes that Hainan’s economy and society will be enhanced by the tourist industry.
Although it has only been half a month since the construction of international tourist island became a state strategy, attention from abroad and home is overwhelming. It has aroused many media speculation: Will real estate bubble of 1993 happen to Hainan again? Does Hainan plan to develop lotteries and open casinos? Will the construction make the island richer but Hainan people poorer?
Wei replied that "it's reasonable to worry about the real estate bubble for it once happened to Hainan, but I am very confident that Hainan will avoid it. Hainan will neither develop lotteries nor open casinos in my term in office, my successor will not do so either. To make the island stronger and Hainan people richer is the ultimate purpose, starting point and basic stand for building Hainan international tourist resort. If we can't make Hainan people get richer, the construction fails."
"Hainan real estate is very hot recently. Investors outside the island rush here and home buyers queue up." Wei said, "the highest decision-making level shall keep calm now." Hainan decided to suspend commercial land leasing and approving new real estate development projects before the state approves the planning of Hainan international tourist island.
Wei indicated that Hainan has a long way to go for international tourist island, which is very important to the Hainan government and officials. "Hainan government is responsible, so are its officials." he emphasized that "we shall bear all responsibilities to build Hainan international tourist island".