The level of urbanization in the southern Chinese province of Hainan will reach 65% by the end of the 14th five-year plan (2021-2025).This is stated in the urbanization plan of Hainan Province for the 14th five-year plan, published by the provincial Development and Reform Committee.
As follows from the document, in 2020, the urbanization coefficient, calculated on the basis of the number of permanent residents in the cities of Hainan, was 60.3%. The total population of the island is 10.2 million people. It is noted that by 2025 the number of employed in cities will increase by 750 thousand people. In addition, the province intends to recruit at least 50 thousand highly qualified specialists.
To achieve this goal, the authorities intend to promote the development of the island's cities, improve working conditions in settlements, facilitate the relocation of residents from villages to cities, and reduce the wage gap between urban and rural populations. In addition, it is planned to promote innovative and green development of cities, improve the living conditions of the population.
As for the long-term perspective, the level of urbanization in the province will reach 75% by 2035, the document states.
On June 1, 2020, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of the People's Republic of China published a program for the formation of a free trade port on Hainan. The document provides for the creation of a special customs zone on this tropical island. The Chinese authorities plan to complete the construction of a free port on the territory of the province in 2025, by which time a system of ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island. By 2035, it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment, cross-border movement of capital, entry and exit of people, cargo transportation in Hainan.
