04 November 2003 09:40
Hainan Province mixes oil, gas, tourism
Author: The development of an offshore oil and natural gas industry will enjoy increasingly important position in
Hainan's economic growth strategy, said Acting Governor Wei Liucheng on November 3, while talking about the
economic future of this eco-friendly island province. In the next three to four years, oil and gas output will be
doubled, which means that an additional 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be produced annually, said Wei, who
was chief executive officer of China National Offshore Oil Corporation before being promoted acting governor. However,
he denied the rumor that his promotion, which happened one month ago, is directly linked with the local oil and gas
development strategy. "Probably the real reason is that the central government wants me to bring my experience
running a State-owned enterprise to the governance of the relatively underdeveloped region," said Wei, with his
trademark friendly smile. He admitted that the oil and gas industry will acquire more and more importance in
Hainan's economy in the future, especially in its relation to the industrial sector. "However, more priority
will be given to the protection of environment," said the acting governor, adding that tourism should be developed
into the island's pillar industry, leading the province's economic growth. The island, which became a province
in April 1988, enjoys an unpolluted ecological environment and is famous for its beautiful beaches and tropical scenery.
It received more than 12 million visitors last year and tourism revenue accounted for over 15 percent of the local gross
domestic product (GDP), according to Wei. He said the provincial government has invited experts from the World Tourism
Organization and Chinese tourism authorities to make an overall plan for tourism development on the island. More efforts
will be made over the next few years to attract tourists from Japan, the Republic of Korea, countries in Southeast Asia
and Russia, said Wei. Eventually, tourism promotion activities will be expanded to North America, Western Europe and
Australia, he added. A series of activities will be held in the island in November and December, including the Miss
World Contest, an International Wedding Festival and the Hainan Carnival, said Wei.
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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