Show the love of homeland Hainan with huge investments
Hainan province proves hot for investment, especially from people who have origins in the island province in South China.
Thousands of overseas Hainanese from 26 countries and regions gathered in Hong Kong between Nov 30 and Dec 2 for their biennial congress to deepen friendship and enhance common development. Their home island reaped 38 billion yuan ($5.75 billion) in investment for 27 new projects covering tourism, new high technology and education.
Among them, Hong Kong business people with Hainan origin signed 16 deals with their hometown. Hong Kong has been one of the largest sources of investment in Hainan, according to provincial authorities.
About 1,800 overseas Hainanese attended Saturday’s investment promotion event, which was part of the 15th World Congress of the International Federation of Hainan Associations that closed on Saturday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Shen Xiaoming, governor of the tropical island province, said at the opening ceremony that “for a long time, overseas Hainanese, now totaling about 3.9 million worldwide, have not only made great achievements and gained a great deal of respect in their countries of residence, but also have devoted their energy and funds to their hometown.”
He said a lot of buildings, roads, bridges and schools have been built by overseas folks of Hainan origin; and they have also introduced rubber and coffee growing and processing to Hainan.
“The good deeds done by the overseas Hainanese show their deep affection for their hometowns,” he said.
Hainan will highlight development of in-depth processing of farm produce, healthcare and medical services, new high-tech and cultural industries and give priority on the growth of modern services such as finance, shipping and “corporate headquarters” economy, the governor said.
He said the island province welcomes Hainanese both at home and abroad to make investments in these fields and share its unique advantages of ecological environment, preferential industry policies and low development costs to gain win-win development.
Shen also mentioned his meeting with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday, when Lam said she realized how much Hainanese in Hong Kong had contributed to the city after attending the centennial celebration of the Hong Kong Hainan Commercial Association last month.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah said “the biennial congress is a big event for overseas Hainanese”.
“This year happens to be Hong Kong’s 20th anniversary of returning to the motherland. The fact that thousands of overseas Hainanese from over 20 countries and regions chose Hong Kong for this
Shen Xiaoming,
year’s gathering is especially meaningful for us,” said Lau.
He hoped that both Hainan and Hong Kong can deepen their cooperation and take advantage of the new opportunities brought by the 13th FiveYear Plan (2016-20) and the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve win-win development.
This is the second congress of the International Federation of Hainan Associations held in Hong Kong, after its debut in 1995. This year’s congress also featured an Overseas Hainanese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, Hainan opera performances and council meetings.