Hainan

For other uses, seeHainan (disambiguation).

Hainan Hải nam
Province
Province of Hainan
Name transcription(s)
•Chinese	Hải nam tỉnh(Hǎinán Shěng)
•Hainanese	Hái-nâm-séng
•CantoneseJyutping	hoi2 naam4 saang2
•Abbreviation	Quỳnh(Qióng/Khêng/king4)
Sanya Nanshan Dongtian Park
Location of Hainan within China
Coordinates:19°12′N109°42′E
Country	China
Guangnan West Circuit	988
Hainan Special Administrative Region	1944
Incorporation into the PRC	1 May 1950
Separation fromGuangdong	26 April 1988
Capital and largest city	Haikou
Divisions	4prefectures,25counties,218townships
Government
• Type	Province
• Body	Hainan Provincial People's Congress
•CCP Secretary	Feng Fei
• Congress Chairman	Feng Fei
•Governor	Liu Xiaoming
•CPPCCChairman	Li Rongcan
Area
• Total	35,191 km2(13,587 sq mi)
• Rank	28th
Highest elevation (Wuzhi Shan)	1,840 m (6,040 ft)
Population (2020)
• Total	10,081,232
• Rank	28th
• Density	290/km2(740/sq mi)
• Rank	17th
Demographics
• Ethnic composition	Han:82.6% Li:15.84% Miao:0.82% Zhuang:0.67%
• Languages and dialects	Standard Chinese,Hainanese,Yue,Lingao,Hakka,Hlai,Miao,Tsat
GDP(2023)
• Total	CN¥755 billion (28th) US$107 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 72,958 (17th) US$ 10,353
ISO 3166 code	CN-HI
HDI(2022)	0.781(15th) –high
Website	hainan.gov.cn

Hainan Island

Native name: Hải nam đảo
Geography
Location	East Asia
Type	Island
Area	33,210 km2(12,820 sq mi)
Area rank	42nd
Length	156 km (96.9 mi)
Width	170 km (106 mi)
Highest elevation	1,840 m (6040 ft)
Highest point	Wuzhi Mountain
Administration
People's Republic of China
Province	Hainan
Largest settlement	Haikou(pop. 2,873,358)
Republic of China (claimed)
Special Administrative Region	Hainan
Demographics
Population	c. 8,180,000
Ethnic groups	Han,Li,Miao,Zhuang,Utsul

Hainan
"Hainan" in Chinese characters
Chinese name
Chinese	Hải nam
Literal meaning	"South of theSea (Qiongzhou Strait)"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Bopomofo ㄏㄞˇ ㄋㄢˊ Wade–Giles Hai3-nan2 Tongyong Pinyin Hǎinán IPA [xàɪ.nǎn] Hakka Pha̍k-fa-sṳ Hói-nàm Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Hói nàahm Jyutping hoi2 naam4 IPA [hɔj˧˥ nam˩] Southern Min HokkienPOJ Hái-lâm HainaneseRomanization Hái-nâm Eastern Min FuzhouBUC Hāi-nàng
Vietnamesename
Vietnamese	Hải Nam Hải nam

Former names
Zhuya
Chinese	Châu nhai
Literal meaning	Pearl Cliffs
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhūyá Bopomofo ㄓㄨ ㄧㄚˊ Wade–Giles Chu1-ya2 Tongyong Pinyin Jhuyá IPA [ʈʂú.jǎ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jyū ngàaih Jyutping zyu1 ngaai4 IPA [tsy˥ ŋaj˩]
Qiongya
Traditional Chinese	Quỳnh nhai
Simplified Chinese	Quỳnh nhai
Literal meaning	Jade Cliffs
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Qióngyá Bopomofo ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄧㄚˊ Wade–Giles Ch'iung2-ya2 Tongyong Pinyin Cyóngyá IPA [tɕʰjʊ̌ŋ.jǎ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Kìhng ngàaih Jyutping king4 ngaai4 IPA [kʰɪŋ˩ ŋaj˩]
Qiongzhou
Traditional Chinese	Quỳnh châu
Simplified Chinese	Quỳnh châu
Literal meaning	JadePrefecture
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Qióngzhōu Bopomofo ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄓㄡ Wade–Giles Ch'iung2-chou1 Tongyong Pinyin Cyóngjhou IPA [tɕʰjʊ̌ŋ.ʈʂóʊ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Kìhng jāu Jyutping king4 zau1 IPA [kʰɪŋ˩ tsɐw˥]

Hainanis anislandprovinceand the southernmost province of China. It consists of theeponymousHainan Islandand various smaller islands in theSouth China Seaunder the province's administration. The name literally means "South of the Sea".

The province has a land area of 33,920 square kilometers (13,100 sq mi), of which Hainan Island is 32,900 square kilometers (12,700 sq mi) and the rest is over 200 islands scattered across threearchipelagos:Zhongsha,XishaandNansha.It was part ofGuangdongfrom 1950 to 1988, after which it was made a province of its own and was designated as aspecial economic zonebyDeng Xiaoping,as part of theChinese economic reformprogram.

The HanChinesepopulation, who compose a majority of the population at 82%, speak a wide variety of languages includingStandard Chinese,Hainam Min,Yue Chinese,Cantonese,Hakka Chinese,etc.Indigenous peoples such as theHlai,aKra–Dai-speakingethnic group,are native to the island and compose 15% of the population. Their native languages include theHlai languages.The Hlai are recognized by the Chinese government as one of the country's 56ethnic groups.Speakers ofBe,despite speaking a Kra-Dai language, are reckoned officially as ethnically Han Chinese. Hainan is also home to theJiamao language,of disputed provenance.

There are ten major cities and tencountiesin Hainan Province. The capital of the province isHaikou,on the northern coast of Hainan Island, whileSanyais a well-known tourist destination on the southern coast. The other major cities areWenchang,Sansha,Qionghai,Wanning,Wuzhishan,DongfangandDanzhou.

According to China'sterritorial claims,several disputed territories in theSouth China Sea,including theSpratly Islands(Nansha) andParacel Islands(Xisha),are administered under Sansha city of the province. While the Paracels are fully under China's control, many of the Spratly Islands are controlled by other countries, such asVietnamand thePhilippines.

In 2020, a large-scale plan was announced by the Chinese government to transform the entire island province into afree trade port,with the aim of turning it into the largest free-trade port in the world by 2035. The plan involves building a hub for offshore financing and duty-free shopping, as well as using lower taxes and reduced visa requirements to help draw in foreign businesses and tourists. Moreover, all goods sold from Hainan to other parts of China would be treated as imports from 2025 onward.

Names

The provincial name derives from its major island, Hainan, in Hainanese "Hai Nam", which is named after its position south of theQiongzhou Strait.(To the north of the strait, theLeizhou Peninsulain Guangdong is also known asHaibei/Hai Bacor "North of the Sea".) Former names for Hainan Island includeZhuya,Qiongya,andQiongzhou.The latter two gave rise to theprovincial abbreviationQuỳnh(Qióng/Kheng).

During the 17th and 18th centuries, explorers referred to the island as "Aynam",which remains the pronunciation of its name in the localHainanesedialect.

History

19th century map of Hainan

Prehistoric era

According to some scholars, Hainan was originally attached to the Northeastern part of what is nowVietnam;however, the island was formed after it physically broke away fromVietnamdue to avolcanic eruptionand drifted southeast near China after theMesozoic,millions of years ago.

TheBaiyue peopleare among the earliestKra-Dairesidents to arrive on Hainan island. They are believed to have settled there at least 2 to 6 thousand years ago, and carry genetic markers from ancient people who reached the island between 7 and 27 thousand years ago.

Imperial Era

Depiction of the five lords, or five famous exiles to Hainan island

Hainan Island was recorded by Chinese officials in 110 BC, when the WesternHan dynastyestablished a militarygarrisonthere following the arrival ofGeneral Lu Bode.The process ofsinicizationin Hainan was driven by the conjunction of Han territorial expansion and the arrival of Han Chinese military and administrative personnel who settled on the island. Over the course of many centuries, dynastic Chinese ruling authorities exiled individuals condemned by the imperial courts as criminals or political dissidents were frequently banished to Hainan island and northern Vietnam, regions that were both integral parts governed typically under the jurisdiction of Guangdong province during different Chinese dynasties, where they were subjected to harsh labor in the tropical climate as a form of punishment.

One of the most famous exiled individuals wasSu Shi,a well-known intellectual, poet, and politician of the Song era, offended many of his colleagues and superiors in the royal court. Shi wrote extensively about his exiled experiences on the island during the 11th century AD. After the 11th century AD, large numbers of Han Chinese people from Fujian and Guangdong began migrating to the Leizhou peninsula and Hainan island to settle down their roots by seeking greener pastures on new land to establish themselves. This influx displaced the indigenous Li people, who were among theBaiyuetribes in southern China, driving them out towards the mountainous regions of the southern portion of the island. Hainan was placed under the administration of Guangdong by the ruling Ming dynasty.

Republic of China

Hainan was historically part of Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and as such was the QiongyaCircuit(Quỳnh nhai đạo) under the 1912 establishment of theRepublic of China.In 1921, it was planned to become aspecial administrative region(Quỳnh nhai đặc biệt hành chính khu); in 1944, it became Hainan Special Administrative Region with 16counties,including theSouth China Sea Islands.

During the 1920s and 30s, Hainan was a hotbed of banditry, many opposition politicianswere hanged, therefore opposition politicians went into hiding. The Communists and the indigenousHlai peoplefought a vigorousguerrillacampaign against the Japanese, who were only able to occupy some Hainan territories; but in retaliation the Japanese launched numerous massacres against Hlai villages.Feng Baijuled the Hainan Independent Column of fighters throughout the 1930s and 1940s. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, theKuomintangreestablished control. Hainan was one of the last areas to eventually come under the administration of the People's Republic, having been under the control ofROC forcesuntil March 1950. The People's Republicattacked Hainanon 10 April 1950 and attained complete control on 1 May.

People's Republic of China

A beachside resort inSanya,the second largest city in Hainan

On 1 May 1950, under the People's Republic of China, the Hainan Special Administrative Region became an Administrative Region Office (Hải nam hành chính khu công thự), a branch of the Guangdong provincial government. During the mid-1980s, when Hainan Island was still part of Guangdong Province, a fourteen-month episode of marketing zeal by Hainan Special District Administrator Lei Yuput Hainan's pursuit of provincial status under a cloud. It involved the duty-free imports fromHong Kongof 90,000 Japanese-made cars and trucks at a cost of¥4.5 billion (US$1.5 billion), and exporting them – with the help of local naval units – to the mainland, making 150% profits. By comparison, only 10,000 vehicles were imported into Hainan since 1950. In addition, it involved further consignments of 2.9 million TV sets, 252,000 videocassette recorders & 122,000 motorcycles. The money was taken from the 1983 central government funds destined for the construction of the island's transportation infrastructure (roads, railways, airports, harbors) over the next ten years.

On 1 October 1984, it became the Hainan Administrative Region (Hải nam hành chính khu), with its own People's Government, and finally as a province separate fromGuangdongfour years later. In 1988, when the island was made a separate province, it was designated aSpecial Economic Zonein an effort to increase investment.

The central government funds were deemed insufficient by the Hainan authorities for the construction of the island's other infrastructure (e.g. water works, power stations, telecommunications) and had taken a very liberal interpretation of the economic and trade regulations for Hainan and thirteen coastal cities; the regulations did not mention on prohibiting the re-selling of second-hand goods. Some of the proceeds, from unsold units, were later retrieved by the central government to re-finance the special district.

In June 2020, China announced a master plan for Hainan's free trade port system. Announced by state-owned media Xinhua News Agency, Hainan will "basically establish a free trade port system by 2025 and become more mature by 2035."South China Morning Postdescribed such an initiative as an effort of PRC to "replace Hong Kong as the trading entrepôt" while Cheng Shi of ICBC International has refused to accept such a claim.Additionally, experts have raised concerns about the question of compliance of global trading practices particularly for this project.

Geography

See also:Geology of Hainan Island

Topographic map of Hainan Island

Hainan, separated by the 20 km (12 mi) wideQiongzhou Straitfrom theLeizhou PeninsulaofGuangdong,is the 42nd largest in the world. The area of Hainan Island (32,900 km²(12,700 sq mi), 97% of the province) is slightly smaller than that ofTaiwanIsland. To the west of Hainan Island is theGulf of Tonkin.Wuzhi Mountainis the highest mountain on the island at 1,840 m (6,040 ft).

Hainan Island measures 288 km (179 mi) long and 180 km (110 mi) wide.

The northern half of Hainan is covered with the ancientHainan Volcanic Field.Beneath the topsoil isvolcanic rockwhile the topsoil itself contains small pieces of thisvesicularrock.

Wetland covers 320,000 hectares, 78,000 hectares of which were created artificially. Most of this is located in the eastern and northern part of Hainan.

Rivers and lakes

Most of the rivers in Hainan originate in the central area of the island and flow radially in different directions. TheNandu Riverin the northern part of the island is 314 km (195 mi) long, and itstributary,theXinwu River,is 109 km (68 mi) long. Other major rivers include theWanquan Riverat 162 km (101 mi)-long in the east,Changhua Riverin the west, and theSanyaandTaiyang Riversin the south. Evaporation during the dry season around the coastal areas greatly reduces the flow of the rivers.

There are very few natural lakes in Hainan. However, there are numerousreservoirs,the largest of which is theSongtao Reservoirin the central-north area.

Islands

Main article:Islands of Hainan

Nearby islands

Several small islands exist around the coast of Hainan Island:

• Dazhou Islandis located about 5 km (3.1 mi) off the coast ofWanning
• Haidian Island,on the north coast, is part of Haikou City
• Nanwan Monkey Island,in actuality a peninsula
• Phoenix Islandis an artificial resort island currently under construction inSanya Bay.
• Wuzhizhou Islandis located withinHaitang Bay
• Xinbu Islandis located directly to the east ofHaidian Island

Due to their close proximity to the main island, the flora, fauna, and the climate are very similar.

Disputed islands

See also:South China Sea Islands

Maritime claims ofSouth China Sea

class=notpageimage|

Location of the major islands inSansha
Legend:Black:Sansha (Pref. seat)YongxingPink:HuangyanGreen:YongshuBlue:MeijiPurple:ZhubiOrange:HuayangYellow:NanxunRed:ChiguoBrown:Dongmen

A number of small islands, which are located hundreds of kilometers to the south, are claimed and administered bySanshaas part of Hainan Province.Sovereignty of these islands is however disputed. These islands include:

• Paracel IslandsXisha Islands – "The West-sands" – claimed byVietnam,the PRC and theRepublic of China (Taiwan, ROC)
  • Money Island, Paracel Islands
  • Rocky Island, South China Sea
  • Tree Island, South China Sea
  • Triton Island
  • Woody Island, South China Sea
• Zhongsha Islands– "The Middle-sands"
• Spratly Islands– Nansha Islands – "The South-sands" are subject to claims by Vietnam, the PRC, ROC,Malaysia,thePhilippines,andBrunei.
  • Spratly Island
  • Flat Island (Spratly)
  • Taiping Island
  • James Shoal(southernmost point)
  • Loaita Island
  • Namyit Island
  • Nanshan Island
  • Sin Cowe Island
  • Thitu Island
  • West York Island

Environment

Compared to most of mainland China, the air quality of Hainan is significantly better since it is not affected by factory pollution, which has adversely affected the air on the mainland. Throughout 2012, Hainan had the highest air quality in the country for 351 days.

The provincial government's environmental protection campaign has taken action against a number of industrial plants. During 2012, several outdated manufacturing facilities had their business licenses revoked, and 175 cases related to illegal sewage discharge were handled.

Total sulfur dioxide emissions for the province were 34,000 tons in 2012, a 3 percent year-on-year reduction. In 2011, smog emissions were reduced 6.3 percent to 15,000 tons.

Protected areas include theYinggeling-Limushan andWuzhishan-Diaoluoshan nature reserves.

Climate

Hainan Island
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D 22 24 17 25 25 18 39 28 20 91 31 23 187 33 25 193 33 26 252 33 25 297 32 25 308 31 24 279 29 23 91 27 21 48 24 18 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █Precipitation totals in mm Source:
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 0.9 75 63 1 77 64 1.5 82 68 3.6 88 73 7.4 91 77 7.6 91 79 9.9 91 77 12 90 77 12 88 75 11 84 73 3.6 81 70 1.9 75 64 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █Precipitation totals in inches

The climate of Hainan is mostly tropical. The island's two largest cities,HaikouandSanya,both possess atropical Köppen climate.The annual average temperature ranges from 23 to 28 °C (73 to 82 °F),Haikouis 24.7 °C (76.5 °F),Sanyais 26.5 °C (79.7 °F). The coldest months are January when temperatures drop to 17 to 24 °C (63 to 75 °F); the hottest months are June and July, and the temperatures are 26 to 31 °C (79 to 88 °F). The daily average temperature in Hainan in all months is well above 10 °C (50 °F).

The summer in the northern part is hotter and,(for more than 20 days in a year, the temperature can be higher than 35 °C (95 °F))

.The average annual precipitation is 1,500 to 2,000 millimeters (59 to 79 in) and can be as high as 2,400 millimeters (94 in) in central and eastern areas, and as low as 900 millimeters (35 in) in the coastal areas of the southwest. Parts of Hainan lie in the path oftyphoons,and 70% of the annual precipitation is derived from typhoons and the summer rainy season. Major flooding occurs due to typhoons, which can cause many problems for local residents.

Annual fog

From January to February, the island of Hainan is often affected by thick fog, particularly in coastal areas and the northern part of the island. This is caused by cold winter air from the north coming into contact with the warmer sea, causing the moisture that evaporates from the sea to be condensed into fog. The fog remains from day to night, and is evenly distributed. Visibility may be reduced to 50 meters (160 ft) for days at a time. During this period, residents normally keep windows shut. The moisture in the air is so extreme that the walls in homes weep, and floors often accumulate a layer of water.

Flora and fauna

This view inWanningnear the southeast coast is typical of the inland countryside.

Hainan has over 1,500 km²(580 sq mi) of tropical forest, in which can be found over 4,600 types of plants and more than 570 species of animals.The nature observation databaseiNaturalist.orgcurrently lists 6,687 species of plants, animals andfungias having been observed on Hainan Island (in 2024).In modern times, however, the small island's natural balance has been threatened, largely due to the introduction ofexotic species,as well as human impacts fromtourism,deforestation,and the use ofherbicides,pesticidesand other suchpollutants.A report from the Department of Land, Environment and Resources of Hainan Province states that 200 species are near extinction, with six plant species, such asMaytenus hainanensisandSciaphila tenella,having been declared extinct.

Two ecoregions cover the island. TheSouth China-Vietnam subtropical evergreen forestscover the lowlands, and extend onto the adjacent mainland. TheHainan Island monsoon rainforestscovers the interior of the island, and includes montane rain forests with a more seasonal climate and moredeciduoustrees.

Flora

The majority of Hainan's land area is covered in forest, with 61.5% total coverage. At the end of 2012, nearly 210,000 hectares (518,921 acres) of forest-cover was reported–an increase of 34,133 hectares (84,340 acres) from the previous year. A further 1,187 hectares (2,930 acres) ofgrassesand trees have been planted along the province's highways.

Hainan yellow lantern chili

There are around 53genera,belonging to 29families,of wildfruits,herbsand other significantcropsgrowing on Hainan—both native and introduced—including several types ofbanana(Musasp.), as well ascashew(Anacardium occidentale), mango (Mangifera indica), fiber agave (Agave sisalana), pineapple (Ananas comosus), bitter melon (Momordica charantia), ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis), giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos), Asian taro (A. odora), Malabar spinach (Basella alba) and papaya (Carica papaya).Four species ofpeppergrow on the island as well, including the economically significant black pepper (Piper nigrum). At least 25-30 species belonging to the orderZingiberalesgrow on Hainan, including numerous types ofginger,galangal,canna,turmeric(Curcumasp.) and prayer-plants (Marantaceae), among others. Coconuts (Cocossp.) are a fairly common sight along the coastline.Treesfound on Hainan include at least 18 species ofFicus,the Hainan white pine (Pinus fenzeliana), Tenasserim pine (Pinus latteri) and several species of orchid tree (Bauhinia).

4,200 known species of plants are native to the island, including severalendemicspecies, such as those within the generaWenchengiaandMetapetrocosmea.Additionally, theCathayantheandChuniagenera are found only on Hainan and in northern Vietnam.

Notable botanical species include:

• Hainan yellow lantern chili— apeppersimilar to theScotch bonnet.
• Cephalotaxus hainanensis— a species of plum-yew.

Fauna

Even with over ten million human inhabitants, Hainan contains several protected areas and wildlife preserves. The most ubiquitous smaller species on the island include such animals asfrogs,toads,geckos,skinks,andbutterflies;as with many adjacent tropical regions, theArthropodaandinvertebratesare well-represented here, withmosquitoesnaturally being very common at certain times of the year. The swarms of biting, flying insects actually play a key role in islandfood chainsandecosystems,not only being consumed by many other species (such asbatsandbirds) but serving aspollinatorsfor many types offlowering plants.Hainan's lakes and waterways are populated with various freshwater fishes, such ascarpandcatfish,whosefryreadily consume both mosquito eggs and larvae (laid on the water's surface) for sustenance.

About 100mammalianspecies are found on Hainan, with theHainan black crested gibbon(Nomascus hainanus), theHainan hare(Lepus hainanus), theHainan gymnure,or moonrat (Neohylomys hainanensis), and theHainan flying squirrel(Hylopetes electilis) all beingendemicto the island. Larger native mammals include theAsiatic blackor "moon" bear (Ursus thibetanus),sambar(Rusa unicolor),Eurasian otter(L. lutra), thecrab-eating mongoose(Herpestes urva) and theleopard cat(Felis bengalensis), which are considered a species of conservation concern.Other mammals includeSiberian chipmunks(Tamias sibiricus), squirrels,masked palm civetsand theyellow-bellied weasel.

There are 362 known bird species.Seabirds such as gulls are not generally seen. Egrets andBlack-winged kitesare common in agricultural areas. TheHainan partridge,white-eared night heron,Hainan leaf warbler,andyellow-billed nuthatchare endemic to the island.

Secretive, and sometimes less commonly seen, are thesnakes,such as theAsian palm pit viper,thered bamboo snake,and cobras.

In the seas surrounding Hainan,sea turtlesandwhale sharksare regular visitors.

Hainan island has rich bio-diversity ofcetaceansand is the site of studying these in Chinese waters.Many whales such asNorth Pacific right whales,westerngray whales,humpback whales,andblue whales(all of these are almost extinct in Chinese waters)were historically seen in the winter and spring to mate and calve. These gentle giants of the sea had been hunted heavily and were wiped out by Japanese whalers (established whaling stations on various sites on Chinese and Korean coasts including Hainan andDaya Bay). A fewBryde's whalesandminke whalesmay still occur in the adjacent waters along with onLeizhou Peninsulaand theGulf of Tonkin.Smaller species ofwhaleanddolphins,such asshort-finned pilot whalesandpantropical spotted dolphins,but most notably the endangeredChinese white dolphin.Declared sanctuary for the species extends along the coasts. These dolphins may appear among clearer waters such as vicinity toSanya.

Dugongsstill occur in small number, mostly onGulf of Tonkinside.

Notable species include:

• Hainan gymnure(Neohylomys hainanensisor Hainan moonrat) is a small mammal.
• Hainan partridge(Arborophila ardens) is a species of bird endemic to Hainan Island.
• Hainan peacock-pheasant(Polyplectron katsumatae) is an endangered species of the familyPhasianidae.
• Hainan black crested gibbon(Nomascus hainanus) is one of the world's most endangered primates.Seacology,a non-profit organization in Berkeley, California, United States, initiated a project to protect the highly endangered Hainan gibbon in exchange for scholarships for the children of four villages nearHainan Bawangling National Nature Reserve.
• Hainan hare(Lepus hainanus) is a species of hare endemic to Hainan.
• A subspecies of theleopard cat(Prionailurus bengalensis alleni) is endemic to Hainan.
• Hainan leaf-warbler(Phylloscopus hainanus) is an Old World warbler in the familyPhylloscopidae.
• Little torrent frog(Amolops torrentis) is a species of frog found only on Hainan Island.

Demographics

Historical ethnolinguistic groups on Hainan, 1967 map. The dark green region is dominated by theHainanesevarieties ofMin Chinese,while people in the light green region mainly speakLi/Hlai languages
(Link to entire mapincluding key).

The population density of Hainan is low compared to most coastal Chinese provinces.

In 2000, the ethnic groups of Hainan included the Han-ChineseHainanese,who are the majority (84% of the population) and speak the Min language, theLi (Hlai)(14.7% of the population); theMiao(0.7%) and theZhuang(0.6%).The Li, who speak a Tai-Kradai language, are the largest indigenous group on the island in terms of population. Also found on the island are theUtsuls,descendants ofChamrefugees, who are classified asHuiby the Chinese government because of their Islamic religion. There is aTanka communitythat lives at Sanya Bay.

The Li people mainly reside in the nine cities and counties in the middle and southern part of Hainan – the cities of Sanya,Wuzhishanand Dongfang, the Li autonomous counties ofBaisha,Lingshui, Ledong,Changjiang,and the 'Li and Miao Autonomous Counties ofQiongzhongandBaoting'. Some others live elsewhere on Hainan with other ethnic groups in Danzhou, Wanning, Qionghai, Lingshui and Tunchang. The area inhabited by the Li ethnic group totals 18,700 square kilometers (7,200 sq mi), about 55 percent of the province's total.

Haikou,the capital of the province as seen looking south fromEvergreen Park,a large park located on the north shore of the city

Although they are indigenous to the island and do not speak a Chinese language, theLimgao (Ong-Be)people near the capital (8% of the Hainan population) are counted as Han Chinese by the Chinese government.

Religion

The East Mosque inSanyais an example ofChinese-Islamicarchitecture.

Most of the Hainanese population practicesChinese folk religionandChinese Buddhism.TheLipopulation has aTheravadaBuddhist minority. Most of theUtsulsof the island, a branch ofCham peopleliving nearSanya,areMuslims.Because Hainan was a point in the travel route of missionaries, there are someChristians.According to the Chinese General Social Survey of 2009, Christians constitute 0.48% of the province's population.

Nanshan Park is the center of Buddhism on Hainan. Encompassing more than 50 km²(19 sq mi) of forest. The site includes countless grand temples, statues and spiritual gardens the likes of Savior Garden and Longevity Valley, with intricately trimmed hedges and abundant in lotus flowers, a venerated symbol in Buddhism meaning virtue or purity.

At the heart of the valley is the grandNanshan Temple,its gates flanked by stone figures of Buddha in front of the Tang dynasty-style entrance. The interior displays images of the Four Heavenly Kings amid statues of other deities enshrined in renderings of stone, gold and jade.

Perhapsthe most popularsite within the Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone is the awe-inspiringstone rendering of the Bodhisattva Guan Yin, emerging out of the South China Sea to stand at 108 meters,taller than theStatue of Liberty.

The Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims each year who come pay homage to the site that plays a significant role in the religion in China and to sample some of the finest Buddhist vegan cuisine on the island.

Languages

Most people in Hainan speak a variety ofMin Chineseknown asHainanese.Other Chinese varieties and non-Chinese languages are spoken as well:

• Standard Mandarin(Putonghua) is widely known as in the rest of China. Mandarin is especially common in the city ofSanya.
  • InYacheng City(as well as its vicinity several dozen miles west of Huihui and Huixin), the so-calledmilitary speechdialect of Mandarin (the official language of the southwest among the northern Chinese dialects) is spoken.
• Cantoneseis spoken by some, particularly inHaikou.
• InYanglan Villagein the northeast, two Min dialects, both closely related to Cantonese, are spoken: theMai dialectand theDanzhou dialect,spoken in Haipo Village in the south, which is the same dialect as the dialect spoken in Danzhou in Dan Country in the northern part of the island.
• TheLi,ZhuangandLimgaospeakTai–Kadai languages.
• TheMiaospeakHmong–Mienlanguages.
• There are roughly 4,500Utsulpeople living in the villages ofYanglan(Dương lan) andHuixin(Hồi tân), two villages on the outskirts of Sanya. They speak theTsat language,a member of theAustronesianChamic languages.

Sociolinguistics

Standard Mandarin serves as alingua francabetween 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 speakLi.

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.

Life expectancy and longevity

The people of Hainan live longer than those on the mainland. At the end of 2017, there were 1,565centenariansin 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.

Government

Han dynastyseal unearthed in Hainan in 1984

Han seal text: "Zhulu zhikui" – Zhuya commandery was abolished in 46 BC and reorganized as Zhulu county underHepu Commandery

Even while Hainan Island was a part ofGuangdongit had a considerable amount of local autonomy; the southern half of the island was anautonomous prefecture.Hainan's elevation to provincial level in 1988 increased itsaccountabilityto theCentral People's Government,but by designating the new province aspecial economic zonethe central government expressed its intent to allow Hainan maximum flexibility in devising programs to facilitateforeign investmentandeconomic growth.Administratively, the province has been divided into five economic major districts.

Politics

Main articles:Politics of HainanandList of provincial leaders of the People's Republic of China

The politics of Hainan is structured in a dual party-government system like all other governing institutions inmainland China.

TheGovernor of Hainanis 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 HainanChinese Communist PartyProvincial Committee Secretary orCCP Party Chief.The current Hainan Party Chief isShen Xiaoming.

Legislation

On 13 April 1988, the First Session of the SeventhNational People's Congressdecided to establish Hainan Province, and at the same time granted the Hainan Provincial People's Congress and its Standing Committee special legislative power. 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).

Intelligence

Per the research conducted byInformation Warfare Monitor,Hainan is the physical location ofGhostNet.The Chinese government has officially denied the existence of a cyber war and intelligence operations anywhere on the island.

Administrative

In the officialPRCterritorial claim, Hainan Province includes not just one island, but also some two hundredSouth 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(Tằng mẫu ám sa,Zēngmǔ Ànshā), which is presently marked by the PRC, signifies the country's southernmost border. ButMalaysiaalso claims that it is on their continental shelf.

Subdivisions

Main articles:List of administrative divisions of HainanandList of township-level divisions of Hainan

Hainan Province uses a slightly different administrative system than the otherprovinces of China.Most other provinces are divided entirely intoprefecture-level divisions, each of which is then divided entirely intocounty-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.

Administrative divisions of Hainan
Haikou Sanya Sansha Danzhou Wuzhishan Qionghai Wenchang Wanning Dongfang Ding'an County Tunchang County Chengmai County Lingao County Baisha Li AC Changjiang Li AC Ledong Li AC Lingshui Li AC Baoting Li and Miao AC Qiongzhong Li and Miao AC █Provincial administered county-level divisions ☐Sovereignty over Sansha is disputed, see Territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Division code	Division	Area in km2	Population 2020	Seat	Divisions
					Districts	Counties	Aut. counties	CL cities
460000	Hainan Province	35,191.00	10,081,232	Haikoucity	10	4	6	5
460100	Haikoucity	2,304.80	2,873,358	Xiuying District	4
460200	Sanyacity	1,910.67	1,031,396	Jiyang District	4
460300	Sanshacity*	788.00	2,333	Xisha District	2
460400	Danzhoucity#	3,394.00	954,259	Nadatown
469001	Wuzhishancity**	1,131.00	112,269	Tongzatown				1
469002	Qionghaicity**	1,710.14	528,238	Jiajitown				1
469005	Wenchangcity**	2,459.18	560,894	Wenchengtown				1
469006	Wanningcity**	1,899.90	545,992	Wanchengtown				1
469007	Dongfangcity**	2,272.29	444,458	Basuotown				1
469021	Ding'an County**	1,187.00	284,690	Dingchengtown		1
469022	Tunchang County**	1,223.97	255,335	Tunchengtown		1
469023	Chengmai County**	2,076.28	497,953	Jinjiangtown		1
469024	Lingao County**	1,343.33	420,594	Linchengtown		1
469025	Baisha Li Autonomous County**	2,117.20	164,699	Yachatown			1
469026	Changjiang Li Autonomous County**	1,617.70	232,124	Shilutown			1
469027	Ledong Li Autonomous County**	2,763.53	464,435	Baoyoutown			1
469028	Lingshui Li Autonomous County**	1,121.24	372,511	Yelintown			1
469029	Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County**	1,166.78	156,108	Baochengtown			1
469030	Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County**	2,704.00	179,586	Yinggentown			1
* – Sovereignty over Sansha (including the Paracel, Spratly and Zhongsha Islands) is disputed as of 2 October 2024. ** – Directly administered county-level divisions # – direct-piped cities – does not contain any county-level divisions

Administrative divisions in Chinese and varieties of romanizations
English	Chinese	Pinyin	Hainanese Romanzation
Hainan Province	Hải nam tỉnh	Hǎinán Shěng	Hai Nam Teng
Haikoucity	Hải khẩu thị	Hǎikǒu Shì	Hai Khau Si
Sanyacity	Tam á thị	Sānyà Shì	Tam Ah Si
Sanshacity	Tam sa thị	Sānshā Shì	Tam Sa Si
Danzhoucity	Đam châu thị	Dānzhōu Shì	Dam Ju Si
Wuzhishancity	Ngũ chỉ sơn thị	Wǔzhǐshān Shì	Ngou Ji Tua Si
Qionghaicity	Quỳnh hải thị	Qiónghǎi Shì	Kheng Hai Si
Wenchangcity	Văn xương thị	Wénchāng Shì	Von Sio Si
Wanningcity	Vạn ninh thị	Wànníng Shì	Van Neng Si
Dongfangcity	Đông phương thị	Dōngfāng Shì	Dang Fang Si
Ding'an County	Định an huyện	Dìng'ān Xiàn	Deng An Kuai
Tunchang County	Truân xương huyện	Túnchāng Xiàn	Ton Siang Kuai
Chengmai County	Trừng mại huyện	Chéngmài Xiàn	Deng Mai Kuai
Lingao County	Lâm cao huyện	Língāo Xiàn	Liom Ko Kuai
Baisha Li Autonomous County	Bạch sa lê tộc tự trị huyện	Báishā Lízú Zìzhìxiàn	Be Tua Loitoc Seji Kuai
Changjiang Li Autonomous County	Xương giang lê tộc tự trị huyện	Chāngjiāng Lízú Zìzhìxiàn	Siang Kiang Loitoc Seji Kuai
Ledong Li Autonomous County	Nhạc đông lê tộc tự trị huyện	Lèdōng Lízú Zìzhìxiàn	Loc Dong Loitoc Seji Kuai
Lingshui Li Autonomous County	Lăng thủy lê tộc tự trị huyện	Língshuǐ Lízú Zìzhìxiàn	Leng Tui Loitco Seji Kuai
Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County	Bảo đình lê tộc miêu tộc tự trị huyện	Bǎotíng Lízú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn	Bo Deng Loitoc Miautoc Seji Kuai
Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County	Quỳnh trung lê tộc miêu tộc tự trị huyện	Qióngzhōng Lízú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn	Kheng Tong Loitoc Miautoc Seji Kuai

Urban areas

Population by urban areas of prefecture & county cities
#	Cities	2020 Urban area	2010 Urban area	2020 City proper
1	Haikou	2,349,239	1,517,410	2,873,358
2	Sanya	724,854	453,819	1,031,396
3	Danzhou	516,043	418,834	954,259
4	Wenchang	341,862	251,795	560,894
5	Qionghai	262,524	194,400	528,238
6	Dongfang	257,936	153,726	444,458
7	Wanning	225,608	221,263	545,992
8	Wuzhishan	67,645	53,268	112,269
9	Sansha	2,333		2,333

Military base

Main article:People's Liberation Army Navy

Hainan Island is home to thePeople's Liberation Army NavyHainan Submarine Baseand strategicnuclear submarinenaval harboratYalong Bay.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 fromspy satellites.The harbor houses nuclear ballistic missile submarines and is large enough to accommodateaircraft carriers.TheU.S. Department of Defensehas estimated that China will have fivetype 094 submarinesoperational by 2010 with each capable of carrying 12JL-2 ballistic missiles.Two 950-meter (3,120 ft) piers and three smaller ones would be enough to accommodate twocarrier strike groupsoramphibious assault ships.

Economy

2012

2016

A typical example of an urban development. The above images show the same place inGuilinyangroughly four and a half years apart.

Old town of Haikou, 2021

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 byindustrialization;even today there are relatively fewfactoriesin the province.Tourismplays 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.

Hainan's industrial development largely has been limited to the processing of its mineral and agricultural products, particularlyrubberandiron ore.Since the 1950s, machinery, farm equipment, andtextileshave been manufactured in theHaikouarea for local consumption. A major constraint on industrial expansion has been an inadequate supply ofelectricity.Much of the island's generating capacity ishydroelectric,and it is subject to seasonal fluctuations in stream and river flows.

In December 2009, the government of China announced that it plans to establish Hainan as an "international tourist destination" by 2020.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.

According to the Statistical Communiqué of National Economic and Social Development of the statistical authority, theGDPof Hainan Province in 2017 was 446.3 billionyuan(66.1 billionUS dollars), up by 7.0 percent over the previous year. Of this total, thevalue addedof 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).

Agriculture

One of the many rice fields in Hainan

Owing to Hainan's tropical climate,paddy riceis cultivated extensively in the northeastern lowlands and in the southern mountain valleys.Leading crops other than rice includecoconut,palm oil,sisal,tropical fruits(includingpineapples,of which Hainan is China's leading producer),black pepper,coffee,tea,cashews,andsugarcane.

The hotHainan 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.

Hainan is a major rubber producer. In the early 20th centuryChinese emigrantsreturning from thenBritish Malaya,introducedrubber treesto 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.

Hainan has almost 93,000 hectares ofareca palms.The product, theareca nut,is consumed locally and also sent to the mainland. Ninety-five percent of China's production of this nut is produced in Hainan.

Domesticated farm animals comprise mainly goats, cows, water buffalo, chickens, geese and ducks.

Fisheries

Fish farmsinChengmai

Grouper, Spanish mackerel, and tunaconstitute 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 400hatcheries,most being located between Wenchang and Qionghai.

Tilapiaproduction in 2008 was 300,000 metric tons (330,000 short tons). The island has an estimated 100,000 local, commercial fish farming families.

Tourism

Located in Sanya, this beach is typical of those along the entire eastern coast of Hainan

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 theChinese 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 isFive Finger Mountain,a scenic area. Tourists also visit the capital of Haikou with area visitor attractions such asMovie Town HaikouandHoliday Beach.

Visa requirements

See also:Visa policy of China

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.

Statistics

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.

In 2010, the amount of overnight tourists visiting Hainan was 25.87 million, 663,000 of which came from outside China.

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.Total revenue during that year was 32 billion RMB ($4.3 billion US), up 25 percent from 2010.

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.

In 2014, Hainan received 50.2 million tourists, 660,000 of whom were from overseas.

During 2015, Hainan received 53 million visitors.

In 2016, over 60 million tourists went to Hainan, up 12.9% from 2015.

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).

Medical tourism

The government of Hainan is expanding the province'smedical tourismindustry.The provincial government has established theBoao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zonein theBo'aoarea. The zone is located six kilometers from the Boao Forum for Asia and covers 20 square kilometers.This was announced at theBoao Forum for Asiain 2011.The State Council has approved the development ofLecheng Islandas a medical tourism-themed destination.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.As part of the zone, theBoao Super Hospitalopened in 2018.

Historical sites

Main article:Major national historical and cultural sites (Hainan)

Haikou is the province's capital and contains interesting historic sites. Also known as Coconut City, Haikou is a major port. TheFive Officials Temple(Chinese:NgũCôngTừ;pinyin:Wǔgōng cí,20°0′35.79″N110°21′17.34″E) 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 theJurchensduring the SouthernSong dynasty.)

Xiuying Fortwas built in 1891 to defend the southeastern corner of China during theSino-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.

Tomb ofHai Rui

The Tomb ofHai Rui(20°0′29.66″N110°17′30.18″E) is a key national cultural protection site.Hai Ruiwas 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.

TheYangpu Ancient Salt Fieldis a heritage site in Yantian village onYangpu Peninsula.The area comprises more than 1,000 stones, cut flat on top, used to dry seawater to produce salt.

Other attractions and destinations

Yalong Bay,the most expensive and well-known beach in Hainan, and the location of numerous 5-star hotels.

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 SpringResort,Shishan Volcanic Garden;theWanquan River,Baishi Ridge Scenic Zone and Baihua Ridge.

Other attractions in Hainan include:

• Phoenix Island,anartificial islandinSanya Bay.
• Monkey Island,near the well-known perfume bay or Xiangshui Wan, a popular tourist destination located inLingshuiCounty, is a state-protected nature reserve formacaques.
• Yalong Bay(Crescent Dragon Bay or Yalong Wan), a 7 km (4.3 mi) long beach east of Sanya City.
• Xiangshui Bay Scenic Area,48 km (30 mi) from Sanya Tiandu.
• Luobi Cave,15 km (9.3 mi) north of Sanya City.
• Nanshan Temple,a Buddhist cultural area west of Sanya featuring a 108 meters (354 ft)statue of Guanyin,Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
• Yanodais a rainforest area. It is open to visitors with guided walking tours, a zipline, and a waterfall climbing activity.

Yachting

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.

Duty-free program

On 20 April 2011, a pilotduty-freeprogram commenced with the aim of increasingluxury goodspurchases. 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.In October 2012, duty limits were raised to 8,000 yuan ($1,273), and became available to both domestic and international tourists.

The total sales of duty-free products for 2012 was 2.4 billion yuan.

The world's largest duty-free shopping complex is scheduled to open inHaitang Bayin August 2014.

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.

During 2018, the two duty-free shops had sales of more than 10 billion RMB and received 2.88 million customers.

Natural resources

Hainan has commercially exploitable reserves of more than 30minerals.Iron,first mined by the Japanese during their occupation of the island inWorld War II,is the most important. Also important aretitanium,manganese,tungsten,bauxite,molybdenum,cobalt,copper,gold,andsilver.There are large deposits ofligniteandoil shaleon the island, and significant offshore finds ofoilandnatural gashave been discovered. Virgin forests in the interior mountains contain more than 20 commercially valuable species, includingteakandsandalwood.

Real estate market

In 1990, Hainan province was the site of the largest property bust in modern Chinese historyWith 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.

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).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.

Out of China's twenty leading real estate developers, eighteen had invested in Hainan during 2016.

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.

New 2018 regulations

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.

Golf industry

See also:Golf in China § Hainan

This industry is expanding in Hainan, with numerous courses being constructed, includingMission 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 industry

Automotive manufacturingis 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,Haima Automobilehas its global headquarters inHaikou.

Foreign trade

As of 2017, the total value of imports and exports of goods reached 70,237 millionyuan(10,403 millionUS 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).

Aseanwas 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 wasHong 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.

Hainan Free trade port

On 13 April 2018,Communist Party general secretaryXi Jinpingannounced 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.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.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.

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,Baiduand Hainan signed a deal to build a 10-billion-yuan (US$1.45 billion) eco-village.

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 includingGlobevisa Group,Merlin Entertainments Group,Viacom,Ikea Group,Mapletree Investments,Avis Budget Group,Star Cruises,andBoehringer Ingelheim.

To bring talented workers to Hainan, in November 2018 the Hainan government held arecruitment fairin Beijing in an effort to bring 7,471 people to Hainan to work in government agencies, companies, and other institutions.

Established prior to this announcement, and currently in existence, are the following economic and technological development zones:

• Haikou Free Trade Zone
• Haikou New & Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone
• Yangpu Economic Development Zone

In 2021, Hainan Free Trade Port Law of the People's Republic of China was adopted by theNational People's Congressand ratified under the No.85 Order of thePresident of the People's Republic of Chinain 2021.According to the law, by 2025,feng guan( phong quan, 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 asHong Kong SAR.

Transport

Road

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.Instead, road maintenance costs are raised through a 60% tax on fuel.

There are several major highways and expressways linking Haikou on the north coast with Sanya on the south coast. TheG224is 309 kilometers long and runs through the middle of the province. The Hainan Ring Highway has three parts: TheG225is 429 km (267 mi) long and is the western part. For most of its length, the G225 runs parallel to theHainan western ring railway.TheG223is the eastern part, running from Haikou to Sanya. It is 323 kilometers long. TheG98is 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.

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.

Bridges

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.

Air

Hainan Province has two international airports (Haikou Meilan International AirportandSanya Phoenix International Airport) and two domestic airports (Qionghai Bo'ao AirportandDanzhou Airport,the latter is under construction.)

Rail

Train ferry ofGuangdong–Hainan railwayleaving South Port, Haikou

Today's Hainan is ringed by standard-gauge railways. Since 2004, arail ferryconnects the island's railroad network to Guangdong, mainland China.In 2005,Ministry of Communicationsallocated 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.From the ferry terminal, located nearHaikou railway station(west of Haikou), freight and passenger trains arriving from the mainland can proceed on theHainan western ring railwayalong the island's west coast, viaDongfangto Sanya. This railway line has been developed over several decades, starting with a few short3 ft 6 in(1,067 mm)narrow gaugelines constructed during the Japanese occupation in the early 1940s.

There is a high-speed railway ring around the island, formed by theeastern ringandwestern ringalong the island's coast. Both high-speed railways are connected withHaikouandSanya.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).The first eastern ring high-speed train run started on 30 December 2010,and theHainan western ring high-speed railwaystarted its operation in 2015.

Seaports

Haikou Xiuying Port

• Haikou Xiuying Port(Hải khẩu tú anh cảng) serves as the main passenger and cargo center.
• Haikou New Port(Hải khẩu tân cảng) opened 1 June 2005
• Macun Port(Mã thôn cảng) located inChengmai County;opened 1 June 2005
• Hainan Strait Port
• Basuo PortinDongfangCity is a small port on the west coast of Hainan. One of its main cargos is iron ore from theShiluMine.

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.

Province-wide infrastructure development

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 dumpsare being removed. However,illegal dumpingofconstruction debrisstill 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.

Thisinitiative in Haikouhas 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.

Hainan Regional Specific Visa-exemption Policy

Visa-free Entry

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.In July 2019, theChinese Ministry of Public SecurityandNational Immigration Administrationannounced an update and expansion of thevisa-freeentry 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.

Countries eligible

AllEuropean Union citizens Albania Argentina Australia Belarus2 Bosnia and Herzegovina2 Brazil Brunei2 Canada Chile Iceland Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan2 Malaysia Mexico Monaco Montenegro New Zealand North Macedonia Norway Philippines Qatar2 Russia Serbia2 Singapore2 South Korea Switzerland Thailand United Arab Emirates2 Ukraine United Kingdom1 United States

1. for British passport holders, only British citizens are eligible.
2. Visa exemption in general

Hainan Free Trade Zone Immigration Preferential Policies

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:

Facilitate Employment and Entrepreneurship for Foreign University Students

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.

Provide Permanent Residency Convenience for Foreigners Working or Investing

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.

Education

Haikou University of Economics,Guilinyang campus

See also:List of universities and colleges in Hainan

The level of primary and secondary education has improved since 1949, but facilities for higher education remain somewhat inadequate.

• Hainan University(Hải nam đại học)
• Hainan Medical University(Hải nam y học viện)
• Hainan Normal University(Hải nam sư phạm đại học)
• Hainan Tropical Ocean University(Hải nam nhiệt đái hải dương học viện)
• Qiongtai Normal University (Quỳnh đài sư phạm học viện)
• Haikou University of Economics(Hải khẩu kinh tế học viện)
• University of Sanya(Tam á học viện)

Settlement

Hainan Provincial Museum

As a frontier region celebrated by such exiled poets asSu 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.

In the late 1960s, the influx ofsent-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.By the early 1970s, the meaning of the phrase had evolved to refer to getting married and starting a family on the island.

Media

As well as programs fromCentral China Television(CCTV), Hainan has a number of local TV stations includingHainan TVandHaikou TV.The Chinese languageNanguo Metropolis Daily,Haikou Evening News,andHainan Dailynewspapers are published in Haikou.

A large film studio is located in the south part of Haikou.Movie Town Haikoucomprises several studio buildings and an artificial town used as filming sets and a visitor attraction.

Cuisine

Common dishes served in Hainan

Main article:Hainan cuisine

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 chickenis 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 fromWenchang,located on the east coast of the province. As opposed tobatterychickens, its meat has more texture and is somewhat drier.

Hainan chicken rice / Coibuiis a famous dish in Southeast Asia, particularlySingaporeandMalaysia,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.

Events

Numerous events are hosted or sponsored on the island, including:

• Blue Bay LPGA– Women's GolfLPGAtournament, held annually at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course
• Swatch Girls World Pro China – Annual Elite Women's surfing competition, held atWanning
• Hainan International Surfing Festival, held annually atRiyue Bay,Wanning
• Miss Worldbeauty pageant is regularly held in the city of Sanya.
• Mission Hills Star Trophyis an annual golf tournament that started in 2010.
• Tour of Hainanbicycle race
• Hainan Rendez-Vous, an annual four-day event that draws China's ultra high-net-worth individuals to theChinese Riviera-like shores of Hainan
• Ironman triathlon
• Boao Forum for Asia,held inBoao,is an international high-level government, business, and academia forum.
• H1 Hot Air Balloon Challenge is held annually in Haikou. Balloons from across the nation fly over the Qiongzhou Strait from Haikou to a designated location on the mainland inXunwen County,Guangdong.

Miscellaneous topics

• The novel,Red Detachment of Women,byLiang Xin,was set in Hainan. The novel was first adapted to a feature film in the 1950s, and then a ballet in the 1960s as one of theEight model plays.Most of the people of that time derived their romanticized image of Hainan Island from the scenes in the ballet, particularly that of the vivid forests of coconut trees, the Five Finger Mountain (Wuzhi Shan), and theWanquan River.
• Two notable lighthouses are located on Hainan: theBaishamen LighthouseandMulantou Lighthouseare among the tallest in the world, the latter being the tallest in China.
• 3024 Hainan,named after the province, is anouter main-beltasteroiddiscovered in 1981.
• Hainan Kopi Talesis a Singaporean Chinese drama serial set in a famous Hainan coffee shop that explores the Hainanese way of life from the 1960s to the 1980s.
• Hainan Resort is also a multiplayer map in the 2013 video gameBattlefield 4.

Space center

Main article:Wenchang Space Launch Site

One of China's satellite launch centers is located in Hainan east of the city ofWenchang.TheWenchang 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 theLong March 7rocket making itsmaiden flight.

Notable residents

The poetSu Shi(1036–1101) popularized Hainan's isolation and exoticism when he was exiled there under theSong dynasty.TheDongpo Academywas built on the site of the residence where he lived in exile.

Hai Rui(1514–1587) was a famous Chinese official of theMing 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 theShanghai-bornSoong sisters:Soong Ai-ling,wife ofH. H. Kung(once China's richest man);Soong Ching-ling,wife ofSun Yat-Sen;andSoong Mei-ling,wife of formerROCPresidentChiang Kai-shek.

Wang Feifei (Fei),singer, actress, entertainer and member of girl groupMiss A;

Wu Xuanyi,member of the South Korean-Chinese girl groupWJSN

International partnership

Hainan has international relationships with the following places:

Sister state/province	Sovereign country	Date of Establishing Sisterhood Relationship
Hyogo	Japan	28 September 1990
Hawaii	United States	30 June 1992
Jeju	South Korea	6 October 1995
Crimea	Ukraine	15 April 1996
Cebu	Philippines	9 June 1996
Arad	Romania	27 September 2000
Salzburg	Austria	24 October 2000
Prince Edward Island	Canada	20 June 2001
South Sinai	Egypt	3 August 2002
Oulu	Finland	11 December 2002
Baleares	Spain	29 July 2004
Phuket	Thailand	25 September 2005
Southern Province	Sri Lanka	23 April 2005
Canary	Spain	11 November 2005
Lubuskie	Poland	24 February 2006
East New Britain	Papua New Guinea	28 September 2006
Kampong Cham	Cambodia	27 March 2006
Quang Ninh	Vietnam	19 April 2007
Quintana Roo	Mexico	30 September 2008
Kyzylorda	Kazakhstan	3 July 2009
Parana	Brazil	13 March 2010
Gotland	Sweden	2 November 2010
Sardinia	Italy	13 October 2011
Bali	Indonesia	20 October 2011
Nampula	Mozambique	18 September 2013
Penang	Malaysia	7 November 2013
South Moravian Region	Czech Republic	29 April 2016
Pest	Hungary	12 June 2016
Luang Prabang	Laos	16 July 2016

See also

• List of islands of China
• Hainan Island incident
• Sanya

Further reading

• D'Arcy Brown, Liam (2003).Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior: travels to China's extremes.London: John Murray.ISBN0-7195-6038-1
• Edmonds, Richard Louis. "Hainan province and its impact on the geography of China",Geography,Vol. 74, No. 2 (April 1989), pp. 165–169

External links

• Hainan Government website (English)Archived4 March 2016 at theWayback Machine
• Hainan Government website (Chinese)
• Economic profile for HainanatHKTDC
• Dr Howard M Scott "Hainan"
• Resources on the Hainanese in the National Library of Singapore
• Learn Hainanese WebsiteArchived1 July 2018 at theWayback Machine
• Hainan Province Official English Language Tourism WebsiteArchived3 October 2018 at theWayback Machine