HAIKOU /China/, July 2. /TASS/. The resort city of Sanya on Hainan Island plans to promote international cooperation in tourism on the basis of China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road project, with local tour operators already working on various marketing measures, Sanya Daily reported.
According to the newspaper, Sanya is seeking to expand contacts with foreign tourism partners by organizing various themed events. Last week, for example, the city held an event called "Hello China! It was attended by about 400 representatives of the tourism industry from 28 countries.
The newspaper noted that Sanya is a member of the Silk Road Cities Alliance and is constantly strengthening contacts with foreign partners. According to Mayor Chen Xi, the local authorities are ready to seize new business opportunities by cooperating with all interested tour operators.
The official stressed that the Sanya government will contribute to the modernization of Hainan's tourism industry and will encourage the introduction of innovative methods for its dynamic development. The mayor stated that the city intends to actively take advantage of the favorable conditions created by the implementation of government policies to strengthen the openness of the People's Republic of China to other countries. In particular, Chen Xi pointed out the prospect of cooperation and expansion of contacts with settlements located in the area historically connected with ancient trade routes.
Yin Libo, Vice Governor of Hainan Province, said that the southernmost region of China is the "shining pearl" of the Maritime Silk Road, a "strategic pillar" for the implementation of the related trade and economic development program in the 21st century. She stressed that local authorities are paying special attention to the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of Hainan Free Trade Port, and are striving to maximize China's intensive growth and openness.
New international connections
The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (also known as the Silk Road) is a project of the One Belt, One Road Initiative. Its trade and economic route starts in Fuzhou (eastern Fujian Province), passes through Guangzhou (southern Guangdong Province) and Hainan, then follows the Strait of Malacca through the Indian Ocean, along the Horn of Africa (Kenya) to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The second direction connects Chinese ports with the South Pacific.
Sanya is a leading resort city in the PRC, home to more than 1 million people. In 2023, its gross product reached 97.13 billion yuan (about $13.66 billion), an increase of 12%. Its average annual temperature reaches 25.4 degrees Celsius, and its coastline is over 260 kilometers long. The surrounding water area has 19 bays and about 40 islands suitable for tourism, all of which allow the local government to successfully develop yachting and beach holidays.