Hainan should adhere to scientific and ecological development, and local leaders must strive to make the island a paradise for Chinese and foreign tourists as well as a hospitable place for its people, said Luo Baoming, Party chief of South China's Hainan province.

During the recently concluded 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Luo said Hainan is standing at a crossroads in its history, and it is headed toward a bright future under the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development, a key strategy mapped out by the Party to boost China's development.

Luo pointed out that scientific development means not only the pursuit of rapid growth but also an emphasis on the needs of the people in the context of comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development.

To thoroughly apply the Scientific Outlook on Development, Luo said, "We must continue to energetically improve the public welfare and build Hainan into a leading model area in equalizing basic public services".

The Party chief stressed the need to protect the ecological environment and build a national demonstration area of ecological civilization in Hainan.

He pointed out that the province's ecological environment and its particularly favorable natural conditions together constitute the most beautiful calling card for Hainan. These features are also the core resources of Hainan's scientific development.

In recent years, the provincial government has channeled some of Hainan's growing economic might into ecological protection.

Also a delegate to the 18th CPC National Congress, Luo told media on Nov 8 that Hainan will take full advantage of the province's seven strength. It will skip over the industrial stage of development and proceed directly into a focus on green industry.

Hainan has seven advantages backing its ecological development - natural environment, location, openness, marine infrastructure, distinctive industries, its attractiveness as a shopping destination and its position as a late-starter.

The province's industrial structure and the strategic positioning of an international tourism island are totally in accordance with the country's strategy to expand domestic demand and stimulate consumption.

With a number of major projects planned or under way, Hainan's advantage as a late-starter is emerging, and it will soon become a global shopping center and tourism destination.

In terms of industrial restructuring, Luo said building a moderately prosperous society in a comprehensive way requires Hainan to take advantage of its resources and location, develop modern tropical agriculture and green industries, such as modern services industries, especially tourism.

Speaking on ecological civilization construction, Jiang Dingzhi, governor of Hainan province, said, "We have the confidence and ability to protect Hainan's ecological environment and to coordinate urban and rural development."

Jiang said Hainan is to accelerate the construction of a number of major environmental protection projects, in which the province is planning to invest 2 billion yuan ($320 million).

Local authorities will build more regional facilities for the disposal of sewage and waste, pay attention to the development and utilization of clean energy and optimize productivity.

Contact the writers at huangyiming@chinadaily.com.cn, liuxiaoli@chinadaily.com.cn and chenlongxiang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/16/2012 page16)