China's largest special economic zone, the southern island province of Hainan, has celebrated the 20th anniversary since its creation. In a ceremony to mark the occasion, participants summarized the achievements made in the past two decades and vowed to build Hainan into a more prosperous and international island province in the future. CRI's Zheng Chenguang reports.

With an area of 34,000 square kilometers, Hainan was established in 1988 as a province and was approved as a special economic zone enjoying preferential policies.

With 20 years of development, Hainan has transformed from an isolated island into the largest special economic zone in China.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang presided over the ceremony held on Saturday.

"Over the past twenty years, the economic strength of Hainan has grown remarkably. The GDP of the region has grown 7.6 times from that of 20 years ago. Specialized agriculture, new form of industries, modern service sectors as well as infrastructures have all undergone rapid development. The establishment of the Yangpu economic zone and Yangpu bonded harbor area as well as the successful hosting of Boao Forum for Asia for 7 times have expanded Hainan's international cooperation and trade."

Wei Liucheng is secretary of Hainan Province Party Committee. He also vowed to make continuous efforts to turn Hainan into an international tourist island.

"Hainan will implement more open tourism policies and continue to internationalize its tourism construction so as to build Hainan into an international tourism island. Hainan will also strive for further development in areas such as education, employment, medical services and housing so as to maximize benefits for its people."

The province has also announced it would continue to implement its visa-free policies for tourists and open up aviation rights, introduce renowned overseas travel agencies and hotel management corporations.

Total tourist numbers and revenue were up 24 times and 150 times, respectively, from those in 1987.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI news.