1988

Hainan Becomes a Province

On April 26, 1988, the People’s Government of Hainan Province was established at No. 59 Haifu Avenue. Hainan Island was designated as a Special Economic Zone the same year. A great number of investors and entrepreneurs headed for the southern island. Thanks to their efforts, the formerly underdeveloped island has become a major draw across all seasons. In April 2018, China made a further step on reform and opening up by supporting Hainan to become a pilot free trade zone across the entire island. Hainan will continue to play the role of a window of reform and opening up.

“Science and Technology Constitute a Primary Productive Force”

On September 5, 1988, during a meeting with then- president of Czechoslovakia Gustav Husak, Deng Xiaoping remarked that “science and technology constitute a primary productive force.” The remark turned out to be crucial for improving Chinese people’s scientific literacy and the country’s development of science and technology.