Hainan

Categories: Provinces of the People's Republic of China | Hainan | Islands of China

Not to be confused with the unrelated provinces of Henan and Hunan. For the prefecture in Qinghai province with the same name, see Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Hainan (Chinese: 海南; pinyin: Hǎinán) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located at the southern end of the country. It consists of several islands, the largest of which is also called Hainan Island (Hainan Dao). And when speaking of "Hainan" in Chinese, it is usually the main Hainan Island that is referred to. To emphasize that the entire province is meant, one says Hainan Sheng ("Hainan Province"). Its capital city is Haikou.

History

Hainan Island was called the Pearl Cliffs (珠崖 Zhūyá), Fine Jade Cliffs (瓊崖 Qióngyá), and the Fine Jade Land (瓊州 Qióngzhōu), the latter two gave rise to the province's abbreviation, Qióng (琼 in Simplified Chinese), referring to the greenery cover on the island.

In Wu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms Period, Hainan was the Zhuya Commandery (珠崖郡).

Hainan was one of the last areas of China controlled by the Chiang Kai-Shek's KMT. From March to May 1950, the Landing Operation on Hainan Island (海南島登陸戰役) captured the island for the Chinese communists.

During the mid-1980s (01.1984-03.1985), when Hainan was still part of the Guangdong Province, a 14-month episode of marketing zeal by Hainan Special District Administrator Lei Yu* (08.1982-03.1985) put Hainan’s pursuit of provincial status under a cloud. It involved the duty-free importation from Hongkong of 90,000 Japanese-made cars and trucks at a cost of C¥ 4,500,000,000 (US$ 1,500,000,000), and exporting them—with the help of local naval units—to the mainland, making 150 % profits. By comparison, only 10,000 vehicles were imported into Hainan since 1950. In addition, it involved further consignments of 2.9 million TV sets, 252,000 videocassette recorders & 122,000 motorcycles. The money was taken from the 1983 central gov’t funds destined for the construction of the island’s transportation infrastructure (roads, railways, airports, harbours) over the next 10 years.

The central gov’t funds were deemed insufficient by the Hainan authorities for the construction of the island’s other infrastructures (water works, power stations, telecommunications, etc.) and had taken a very liberal interpretation of the economic and trade regulations for Hainan & 13 other coastal cities – the regulations did not mention on prohibiting the re-selling of second hand goods. Some of the proceeds, from unsold units, were later retrieved by the central gov’t to re-finance the special district.

[* Later, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen SEZ (05.1985–01.1988), Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou (01.1988–04.1992) & Vice Chairman of Guangxi AR (04.1992–01.1996).]

Administrative divisions

Hainan uses a slightly different administrative system from the other provinces of China. Most other provinces are divided entirely into prefecture-level divisions, each of which is then divided entirely into county-level divisions. County-level divisions generally do not come directly under the province. In Hainan, nearly all county-level divisions (the 4 districts excepted) come directly under the province.

The political divisions of Hainan are:

• 2 prefecture-level cities
  • Haikou City (海口市)
  • Sanya City (三亚市)
• 4 county-level districts, which make up the city of Haikou
  • Longhua District (龙华区)
  • Xiuying District (秀英区)
  • Qiongshan District (琼山区）
  • Meilan District (美兰区)
• 6 county-level cities
  • Wenchang City (文昌市)
  • Qionghai City (琼海市)
  • Wanning City (万宁市)
  • Wuzhishan City (五指山市)
  • Dongfang City (东方市)
  • Danzhou City (儋州市)
• 4 counties
  • Lingao County (临高县)
  • Chengmai County (澄迈县)
  • Ding'an County (定安县)
  • Tunchang County (屯昌县)
• 6 autonomous counties
  • Changjiang Li Autonomous County (昌江黎族自治县)
  • Baisha Li Autonomous County (白沙黎族自治县)
  • Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County (琼中黎族苗族自治县)
  • Lingshui Li Autonomous County (陵水黎族自治县)
  • Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County (保亭黎族苗族自治县)
  • Ledong Li Autonomous County (乐东黎族自治县)

There is also the Office of West, South, and Central Sands Archipelagos, which oversees the South China Sea Islands: the Xisha (Paracel Islands), Zhongsha (Macclesfield Bank), and Nansha (Spratly Islands). The Spratlys are in reality disputed and divided among China and several neighbouring countries, while the Macclesfield Bank is claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam, but administered by no one.

The cities and counties of Hainan are divided into 218 township-level divisions, including 181 townships, 20 towns, and 17 subdistricts.

Hainan was historically part of Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province, being as such, it was the Qiongya Circuit (瓊崖道) in 1912 (the establishment of the Republic of China). In 1921, it was planned to become a Special Administrative Region (瓊崖特別行政區); in 1944, it became Hainan Special Administrative Region with 16 counties containing the South China Sea Islands.

On May 1, 1950 (under the PRC), the Special Administrative Region became an Administrative Region Office (海南行政区公署), a branch of the Guangdong provincial government. On October 1, 1984, it became the Hainan Administrative Region (海南行政区), with a People's Government, and finally as province separate from Guangdong four years later.

Geography

Hainan, the largest island administered by the People's Republic of China, is separated by the Qiongzhou Strait (瓊州海峽) from the Leizhou Peninsula (雷州半島) of Guangdong. To the West of Hainan is the Gulf of Tonkin. Wuzhi Mountain (1,876 m) is the highest mountain in the island.

In the official PRC territorial claim, Hainan Province includes not just one island, but also some 200 South China Sea Islands. The containment of the South China Sea Islands makes Hainan Province have a very large water body, but disproportionally small land area. James Shoal (曾母暗沙 Zengmu Ansha), which is presently marked by the PRC, signifies the country's southernmost border. But the Malaysians also claim it is on their continental shelf.

Climate

Hainan is located in the tropical moist monsoonal climate. Its annual temperature change is less than 15 degrees Celsius. The coldest months are January and February when the temperatures drop to 16 to 21 degrees Celsius; the hottest months are July and August, and the temperatures are 25 to 29 degrees Celsius. Except the mountainous regions in the central part of the island, the daily average temperature in Hainan is above 10 degrees Celsius, and the integrated temperature during the growing season of the crops reaches 8000 to 9000 degree Celsius-days. The summer in the north is swelteringly hot and, for more than 20 days in a year, the temperature can be higher than 35 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 1500 to 2000 mm, and can be as high as 2400 mm in central and eastern areas, and as low as 900 mm in the coastal areas in the southwest. The eastern part of Hainan is on the paths of typhoons, and 70% of the annual precipitation is derived from typhoons and the summer rainy season.

Rivers and lakes

Most of the rivers in Hainan originate from the central area of the island, and flow radially in different directions. Nandu River in the northern part of the island is 314 km long, and its tributary, Xinwu River, is 109 km long; Changhua River in the west is 230 km long; and Wanquan River in the east is 162 km long. The evaporation during the dry season around the coastal areas greatly reduces the flow of the rivers.

There are very few natural lakes in Hainan. There is a well-known artificial reservoir, the Songtao Reservoir, in the central-north area.

Economy

Since the 1980s, Hainan province has been a Special Economic Zone of China. The province has a reputation for being a "Wild West" area. Hainan Island is largely untouched by industrialisation and there are few factories.

The economy is not subject to the policies of the mainland.

Its nominal GDP for 2003 was a little over 8 billion USD, making it the 4th smallest in all of the PRC and contributes just 0.5% to the entire country's economy. Its GDP per capita was 8270 RMB (998 USD).

Demographics

In 2000, the ethnic groups of Hainan included the Han Chinese, known as the Hainanese, who currently make a majority (83% of the population); the Li people (16% of the population); the Miao (Hmong) (0.8%) and the Zhuang (0.7%). The Li are the largest indigenous people on the island in population.

There are 10,000 Buddhist Hainanese, and 6,500 Muslims. Because Hainan had been a point in the travel route of missionaries, there are many Christians: 35,000 Protestants and 4,100 Catholics. Most, if not all, of the 6,500 Muslim Hainanese mentioned above are Hui Chinese living near Sanya.

The Han Chinese of Hainan speak the Min Nan Chinese language or a variant, known as Hainanese. Standard Cantonese is understood by many local Hainanese. English is understood by some of the younger generation, but Hainan Island still largely remains a non-English speaking environment. The Li people have their own language, as do the Miao and Zhuang. The latter three groups would usually speak Standard Mandarin as a second language.

Tourism

As Hainan Island is not heavily industrialised, its greenery, together with its beautiful beaches and clean air, make it a popular tourist attraction. The island is accessible through ferry links with Guangdong province, as well as air links. There are two airports, Meilan Airport in Haikou, and Phoenix airport in Sanya city.

In December 2005, the Guangdong-Hainan passenger railway link opened, connecting Guangzhou in Guangdong province on the mainland to Hainan Island. The complete trip, which includes crossing the Qiongzhou Strait by ferry, takes a total of 12 hours. The project cost $583 million US and is expected to greatly enhance Hainan's tourism and economic development. This is important because Hainan currently lags well behind Shenzhen and Zhuhai special economic zones, which border Hong Kong and Macao.

Hainan Island is often divided into eight regions for tourism purposes Hainan Island: Haikou and area (Haikou, Qiongshan, Ding'an); the Northeast (Wenchang); the Central East Coast (Qionghai, Ding'an); the South East Coast; the South (Sanya); the West Coast (Ledong, Dongfang, Changilang); the North West (Danzhou, Lingao, Chengmai); and the Central Highlands (Baisha, Qiongzhong, and Wuzhishan/Tongzha).

Haikou is the province's capital and contains interesting historic sites. Also known as Coconut City, Haikou is a major port. The Five Official's Temple consists of five traditional temples and halls that were built in honour of five officials of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. These officials were banished to Hainan for periods ranging from 11 days to 11 years for speaking out against what they felt were wrong practices by the Emperors. (It is perhaps significant that the establishment of the Five Officials Temple in the late 19th century coincides with a time when China's territorial integrity was under threat, and that several of the officials honoured here were exiled for espousing aggressive policies on the recapture of the north of China from the Jurchens during the Southern Song dynasty.)

Hairui Tomb is a key national cultural protection site. Hairui was a compassionate and popular official of Hainanese origins who lived during the Ming Dynasty. He was famous for his lifelong honesty and his willingness to speak out on behalf of his local people. In later life, Hairui was persecuted and fell out of favour with the emperor. As a result, he was exiled to Hainan Island. His admirers built the Hairui Tomb after his death to commemorate his great works. Construction of the tomb began in 1589.

Xiuying Fort Barbette was built in 1891 to defend the southeastern corner of China during the Sino-French War. The Xiuying Fort Barbette covers about a third of an acre. Its five large cannons are still intact and viewable at the site.

Perhaps the best known tourist attractions of Hainan Island are its world class beaches and beautiful scenery. With white sand beaches, tranquil green waters and areas of lush vegetation, Hainan has much to offer. Some top scenic sites are Yalong bay National Resort; Dadonghai Tourist Resort; Qizhi Shan (Seven Finger Mountain), Guantang Hot Spring Resort, Shishan Volcanic Garden; Wanquan River, Baishi Ridge Scenic Zone and Baihua Ridge. Visitors should be aware that once they get to Hainan, there is a dearth of tourist information in English (or Mandarin), so finding how to get to the top tourist sites is not always easy. Compounding this is the abundance of inferior tourist attractions that are rapidly springing up to take advantage of the new tourism economy.

Some attractions in Hainan include:

• Qiong Opera (瓊劇)
• Yalong Wan (亚龙湾 Crescent Dragon Bay), Sanya City, southern Hainan: 7-km beach.

The province has initiated a visa-upon-arrival policy for foreign tourist groups from 21 countries in 2000, in order to attract visitors. It received 380,000 overseas tourists in 2002.

Miscellaneous topics

• Hainan is a sister province of Jeju island-province of South Korea and of the Canadian island-province of Prince Edward Island.

• The novel, Red Detachment of Women, by Liang Xin, was set in Hainan. The novel was first adapted to a feature film in 1950s, and then a ballet in 1960s as one of the Eight model plays. Most of the people of that time derived their romanticized image of Hainan Island from the scenes in the ballet, particularly that of the vivid forests of coconut trees, the Five-Finger Mountain (Wuzhi Shan), and the Wanquan River.

External links

• Official Provincial Website (in Simplified Chinese)
• Official Website of the Office of East, South, and Central Sands Archipelagos (in Simplified Chinese)
• Large map of Hainan
• Interactive satellite view of the island
• The World of Hainan contains comprehensive links to sites concerning Hainan

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