Haikou, capital of Hainan province, promoted 69 capital-hungry projects in such areas as urban infrastructure construction, tourism, healthcare and sports facilities from August.

Those projects include theme parks, international schools, hotels and public transportation.

A logistics park with an estimated investment of 7 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) integrates functions including e-business, IT, storage and processing industry. A medical equipment park also introduces internationally renowned companies.

A cultural industry park has improved its infrastructure to attract companies. A national wetland park is planned as an ecological resort and tourism destination.

There is also be a yacht economy park that highlights yacht and yacht parts manufacturing, R&D, trading, maintenance and training centers. In addition there is be an outdoor sports facilities base that focuses on golf, fishing and diving equipment, and a base for manufacturing souvenirs, clothing and handicrafts.

A number of historic streets in the city feature the distinctive Qilou buildings, which are multi-story buildings in which the second floor and above protrude out over the first floor and form a corridor with pillars. Those buildings will be better protected, and the regions are expected to become new tourist attractions.

The government of Haikou is also developing a bonded area and a new district focused on high-tech industries. Leaders plan for these areas to become regional centers of trade, logistics, finance, technology and talent.

As the provincial capital, Haikou accounts for 25 percent of the population of Hainan province. The city's GDP hit 71.3 billion yuan last year, accounting for 30 percent of the province's total.

Over the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15), the city will make more efforts to restructure industry and develop modern agriculture. A number of industries have been identified as government priorities, including the golf and yachting industries, conferences and exhibitions, cruise ship tourism and duty-free shopping.

Haikou welcomes investment from China and abroad and has made a series of preferential policies and incentives, including tax cuts, subsidies and rewards.

zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/10/2012 page8)