HAIKOU /China/, March 11. /TASS/. Hainan authorities plan to stimulate economic development driven by strong innovation potential, which will ensure productivity growth at a fundamentally new level, according to Feng Fei, Secretary of CPC Hainan Provincial Committee.
"Hainan Free Trade Port should be based on a strong modernized industry system. <...> Achieving a new level of productivity implies building not only industrial but also strong scientific and technological innovation capabilities," he emphasized at the province's open day. The event was held in the presence of Chinese and foreign journalists during the 2nd session of the 14th National People's Congress (Parliament).
Feng Fei said the development of new industries and the introduction of innovative models involves adapting them to local conditions using science-based methods. According to the official, Hainan authorities plan to use advantageous opportunities of local institutional mechanisms to achieve the set goals of socio-economic development.
The secretary of the Party Committee said that the main strengths of the island province are, first of all, its excellent climate and policies to enhance openness. Referring to the province's scientific and technological potential, he said that more than 70% of China's crop varieties have been developed through seed breeding projects in the southern region. Feng Fei also pointed out the importance of oceanic research in the South China Sea. According to him, most of the country's deep-water areas are administratively part of Hainan, allowing it to "build up its maritime power" by mastering advanced marine technology.
He noted that Hainan is positioned fairly close to the equator, which means lower costs for space launches. The sea provides favorable conditions for the transportation of launch vehicles. Therefore, the province will actively develop a world-class aerospace industry cluster and realize highly sought-after commercial projects based on it.
Feng Fei added that high ecological friendliness should also be counted among Hainan's major advantages. He pointed out that the province is far ahead of other regions in China regarding alternative energy sources. The secretary of the Party Committee pointed out the important role of projects related to the production, storage and transportation of hydrogen, a promising fuel for which the island is actively developing low-carbon supply chains.