HAIKOU /China/, Oct. 20. /TASS/. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park will become a key link in the implementation of a new model of intensive ecological development on the island, according to the Hainan Daily.

The newspaper reports with reference to the the Hainan administration and the central government of the People’s Republic of China, that the protected area of tropical forests, covering about 15% of the southernmost Chinese province, will become an important strategic factor that will not only significantly improve tourism standards, but also provide a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Hainan’s modern services sector and turn it into an international level consumer area.

It is expected that this protected area will also help preserve and enhance biodiversity and make local economic projects even more attractive. Tropical forests cover almost 96% of the area’s territory, while the population living there is only 24.3 thousand people. Most are members of the indigenous Li people who settled the island more than 3,000 years ago as well as of the Miao minority, the descendants of soldiers from other parts of southern China who were sent to Hainan by the central government several hundred years ago.

The provincial authorities noted that excellent climatic conditions, amazing natural landscapes and the ancient original culture of small ethnic groups will become Hainan’s new signature look and will allow to form an international image of the island as one of the best places in the world for ecological tourism.