Difference between revisions of "Hainan" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{For|the [[autonomous prefecture|prefecture]] in [[Qinghai|Qinghai Province]] with the same name|Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture}}{{For|the [[district of China|district]] in [[Wuhai]], [[Inner Mongolia|Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region]] with the same name|Hainan District}}
 
{{For|the [[autonomous prefecture|prefecture]] in [[Qinghai|Qinghai Province]] with the same name|Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture}}{{For|the [[district of China|district]] in [[Wuhai]], [[Inner Mongolia|Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region]] with the same name|Hainan District}}
 
{{Infobox PRC province
 
{{Infobox PRC province
 
| Header        = '''海南省 <br/>Hǎinán Shěng'''
 
| Header        = '''海南省 <br/>Hǎinán Shěng'''
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| Name           = Hainan
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|ChineseName    = 海南省
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| Abbreviation  = 琼/瓊
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|Pinyin          = Hǎinán Shěng
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| AbbrevPinyin  = Qióng
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|EnglishName    = Hainan Province
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| ISOAbbrev      = 46
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|Name           = Hainan
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|LocalTranscription1= [[Min Nan]] [[POJ]]: Hái-lâm-séng<br/>[[Yue Chinese|Cantonese]] [[Jyutping]]: Hoi² Naam<sup>1</sup> Saang²
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|Hakka: Hói-nàm
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|Abbreviation  = {{zh|s= 琼| t= 瓊}}
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|AbbrevPinyin  = Qióng, [[POJ]]: khêng, [[Jyutping]]: king<sup>4</sup>
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|ISOAbbrev      = 46
 
| Map            = China-Hainan.png
 
| Map            = China-Hainan.png
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| OriginOfName  = 海 hǎi - sea <br /> 南 nán - south <br />"South of the sea"
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|MapSize        = 290px
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| AdministrationType = [[Province of China|Province]]
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|OriginOfName  = 海 hǎi – sea <br /> 南 nán – south <br />"South of the Sea <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Qiongzhou Strait]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>"
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| Capital        = [[Haikou]]
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|AdministrationType = [[Provinces of the People's Republic of China|Province]]
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| LargestCity    = [[Haikou]]
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|Capital        = [[Haikou]]
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| Secretary      = [[Wei Liucheng]]
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|LargestCity    = [[Haikou]]
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| Governor      = [[Luo Baoming]]
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|Secretary      = [[Wei Liucheng]]
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| Area          = 33,920
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|Governor      = [[Jiang Dingzhi]] (蒋定之)
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| AreaRank      = 28th
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|Area          = 33920
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| PopYear        = 2004
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|AreaRank      = 28th
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| Pop            = 8,180,000
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|Latitude      = 3° 30' to 20° 10' N <ref name = "Coordinates range">Includes all territorial claims</ref>
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| PopRank        = 28th
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|Longitude      = 108° 15' to 120° 15' E<ref name = "Coordinates range"/>
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| PopDensity    = 241
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|PopYear        = 2010
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| PopDensityRank = 17th
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|Pop            = 8,671,518
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| GDPYear        = 2006
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|PopRank        = 28th
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| GDP            = 105.2 billion
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|PopDensity    = 254.7
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| GDPRank        = 28th
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|PopDensityRank = 17th
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| GDPperCapita  = 12,650
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|GDPYear        = 2011
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| GDPperCapitaRank = 18th
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|GDP            = 251.5 billion<br/>US$ 39.9 billion
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| HDIYear        = 2005
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|GDPRank        = 28th
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| HDI            = 0.761
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|GDPperCapita  = 23,831<br/>US$ 3,520
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| HDIRank        = 13th
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|GDPperCapitaRank = 23rd
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| HDICat        = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>  
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|HDIYear        = 2008
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| Nationalities  = [[Han Chinese|Han]] - 83%<br />[[Li Chinese|Li]] - 16%<br />[[Hmong people|Miao]] - 0.8%<br />[[Zhuang]] - 0.7%  
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|HDI            = 0.784
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| Prefectures    = 2
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|HDIRank        = 17th
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| Counties      = 20
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|HDICat        = <span style="color:#fc0;">medium</span>
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| Townships      = 218
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|Nationalities  = [[Han Chinese|Han]] – 82.6%<br />[[Li Chinese|Li]] – 15.84%<br />[[Hmong people|Miao]] – 0.82%<br />[[Zhuang people|Zhuang]] – 0.67%
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| Website        = http://www.hi.gov.cn <br /> ([[Simplified Chinese]])
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|Dialects      = [[Hainanese]], [[Yue Chinese|Yue]], [[Hlai language|Hlai]]
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|Prefectures    = 2
 +
|Counties      = 20
 +
|Townships      = 218
 +
|Website        = http://www.hi.gov.cn <br /> ([[Simplified Chinese]])
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Hainan''' ({{zh-c|c=海南}}; [[pinyin]]: {{Audio|zh-Hainan.ogg|Hǎinán}}) is the smallest [[Provinces of China|province]] of the [[People's Republic of China]], located off the southern coast of the country. It consists of several islands, the largest of which is also called Hainan Island ''(Hainan Dao)''. When speaking of "Hainan" in Chinese, it is usually the main Hainan Island that is referred to. The PRC government claims Hainan's territories to extend to the southern [[Spratly Islands]], [[Paracel Islands]] and other disputed marine territory. Hainan is also known as the largest [[Special Economic Zone]] laid out by Chinese leader [[Deng Xiaoping]] in the late 1980s.
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'''Hainan''' ({{zh-c|c=海南}}; [[pinyin]]: {{Audio|zh-Hainan.ogg|Hǎinán}}) is the smallest [[Provinces of China|province]] of the [[People's Republic of China]], located off the southern coast of the country. It consists of several islands, the largest of which is also called Hainan Island ''(Hainan Dao)''. When speaking of "Hainan" in Chinese, it is usually the main Hainan Island that is referred to. The province is closest in proximity to [[Guangxi]] autonomous region and [[Guangdong]] province to the north, and the port cities of [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] to the northeast.
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Hainan island was called the Pearl Cliffs (珠崖 Zhūyá), Fine Jade Cliffs (瓊崖 Qióngyá), and the Fine Jade Land (瓊州 Qióngzhōu). The latter two gave rise to the province's [[abbreviation]], ''Qióng'' (琼 in [[Simplified Chinese]]), referring to the greenery cover on the island. The [[People's Republic of China]] government claims Hainan's territories to extend to the southern [[Spratly Islands]], [[Paracel Islands]] and other disputed marine territories. In addition, Hainan is also known as the largest [[Special Economic Zone]] laid out by Chinese leader [[Deng Xiaoping]] after the economic reforms of the late 1970s.
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{{toc}}
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The province has long been considered a place of exile rather than immigration by Chinese. Hainan served as an exile island for dissent government officials who had not warranted execution. The natural beauty and remoteness of the island has been providing a means for economic development. First, Hainan has become a popular [[tourism|tourist]] destination with beautiful beaches and mountains. Secondly, the Chinese government selected Hainan as its main [[Space exploration|space launch site]]. That could provide the island province with impetus to develop [[knowledge age]] industries, permitting a bypass of heavy manufacturing industries and focus on clean industries suited to the natural environment.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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Hainan Island was called the Pearl Cliffs (珠崖 Zhūyá), Fine Jade Cliffs (瓊崖 Qióngyá), and the Fine Jade Land (瓊州 Qióngzhōu). The latter two gave rise to the province's [[abbreviation]], ''Qióng'' (琼 in [[Simplified Chinese]]), referring to the greenery cover on the island.
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Hainan first entered written [[history of China|Chinese history]] in 110 B.C.E., when the [[Han Dynasty]] established a military [[garrison]] there. Settlement by [[mainlander]]s proved slow however, and from early on Chinese considered the island fit only for exiles. During that period the [[Li people]] arrived from [[Guangxi]] and displaced the island's aboriginal [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian]]-speaking peoples. In the [[Wu Kingdom]] of the [[Three Kingdoms]] period, Hainan belonged to the Zhuya Commandery (珠崖郡).
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Under the [[Song Dynasty]], Hainan came under the control of [[Guangxi]] Province, and for the first time large numbers of [[Han Chinese]] arrived, settling mostly in the north. Under the [[Yuan Dynasty]] (1206-1368), it became an independent province, but was made into part of [[Guangdong]] during the [[Ming Dynasty]] in 1370.  
  
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Hainan first enters written [[history of China|Chinese history]] in 110 B.C.E., when the [[Han Dynasty]] established a military [[garrison]] there. Settlement by [[mainlander]]s was slow however and from early on the island was considered to be fit only for exiles. It was in this period that the [[Li people]] arrived from [[Guangxi Province]] and displaced the island's aboriginal [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian]]-speaking peoples.
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In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, large numbers of [[Han Chinese|Han]] from [[Fujian]] and [[Guangdong]] began migrating to Hainan, pushing the [[Li people|Li]] into the highlands in the southern half of the island. In the eighteenth century, the Li rebelled against the government, which responded by bringing in mercenaries from the [[Miao people|Miao]] regions of [[Guizhou]]. Many of the Miao settled on the island and their descendants continue to live in the western highlands to this day.
  
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In [[Wu Kingdom]] of the [[Three Kingdoms Period]], Hainan was the Zhuya Commandery (珠崖郡).
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Hainan has historically been considered part of [[Guangdong]] and [[Guangxi]], but became the Ch'iung-yai or Qiongya [[Circuit (political division)|Circuit]] (瓊崖道) in 1912 upon the establishment of the [[Republic of China]]. In 1921, it was planned to become a [[Special Administrative Region]] (瓊崖特別行政區), and in 1944, it became Hainan Special Administrative Region with 16 [[counties]], including many of the [[South China Sea]] islands.
  
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Under the [[Song Dynasty]], Hainan came under the control of Guangxi Province, and for the first time large numbers of [[Han Chinese]] arrived, settling mostly in the north. Under the [[Yuan Dynasty]] (AD 1206-1368) it became an independent province, but was placed under [[Guangdong Province]] during the [[Ming Dynasty]] in 1370. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, large numbers of Han from [[Fujian]] and [[Guangdong]] began migrating to Hainan, pushing the Li into the highlands in the southern half of the island. In the eighteenth century, the Li rebelled against the government, which responded by bringing in mercenaries from the [[Miao people]] regions of [[Guizhou Province]]. Many of the Miao settled on the island and their descendants live in the western highlands to this day.
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During the 1920s and 1930s, Hainan was a hotbed of [[Communist Party of China|Communist]] activity, especially after a bloody crackdown in [[Shanghai]] in 1927 drove many Communists into hiding. The Communists and the [[Li people|Li]] natives fought a vigorous guerrilla campaign against [[Japanese]] occupation from 1939-1945, but in retaliation, over one third of the male population of both groups were killed by the Japanese. [[Feng Baiju]] led the [[Hainan Independent Column]] of fighters throughout the 1930s and 1940s.  
  
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Hainan was historically part of [[Guangdong Province]] and [[Guangxi Province]], being as such, it was the Ch'iung-yai or Qiongya [[Circuit (political division)|Circuit]] (瓊崖道) in 1912 (the establishment of the [[Republic of China]]). In 1921, it was planned to become a [[Special Administrative Region]] (瓊崖特別行政區); in 1944, it became Hainan Special Administrative Region with 16 [[counties]] containing the [[South China Sea Islands]].
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After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the [[Kuomintang|Nationalist Party (KMT)]] re-established control over the island. It was one of the last areas of China to be controlled by the [[Republic of China]]. However, from March to May 1950, the Landing Operation on Hainan Island ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 海南島登陸戰役; [[Pinyin]]: Hǎinándǎo Dēnglù Zhànyì) captured the area for the [[Communist Party of China|CCP]]. Feng Baiju and his Column of guerrilla fighters played an essential role in scouting for the landing operation and coordinated their own offensive from their jungle bases on the island. This allowed the Hainan takeover to be successful where the [[Battle of Kuningtou|Jinmen]] and [[Battle of Dengbu Island|Dengbu]] assaults had failed in the previous fall. The takeover was made possible by the presence of a local guerrilla force that was lacking on [[Jinmen]], [[Dengbu]], and [[Taiwan]]. Hence, while many observers of the [[Chinese civil war]] thought that the fall of Hainan to the Communists would be followed shortly by the fall of Taiwan, the lack of any Communist guerrilla force on Taiwan and its sheer distance from the mainland made this impossible, as did the arrival of the Unites States seventh fleet in the [[Taiwan Strait]] after the outbreak of the [[Korean War]] in June of 1950.
  
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During the 1920s and 30s Hainan was a hotbed of [[Communist Party of China|Communist]] activity, especially after a bloody crackdown in [[Shanghai]], the [[Republic of China]] in 1927 drove many Communists into hiding. The Communists and the Li natives fought a vigorous guerrilla campaign against the Japanese occupation of 1939-45, but in retaliation over one third of the male population were killed by the Japanese. [[Feng Baiju]] led the [[Hainan Independent Column]] of fighters throughout the 1930s and 1940s.  After the Japanese surrender in 1945 the [[Guomindang|Nationalist Party (KMT)]] re-established control. Hainan was one of the last areas of China controlled by the Republic of China. From March to May 1950, the Landing Operation on Hainan Island ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 海南島登陸戰役; [[Pinyin]]: Hǎinándǎo Dēnglù Zhànyì) captured the island for the Chinese communists.  Feng Baiju and his Column of guerrilla fighters played an essential role in scouting for the landing operation and coordinated their own offensive from their jungle bases on the island.  This allowed the Hainan takeover to be successful where the [[Battle of Kuningtou|Jinmen]] and [[Battle of Dengbu Island|Dengbu]] assaults had failed in the previous fall. The takeover was made possible by the presence of a local guerrilla force that was lacking on [[Jinmen]], [[Dengbu]], and [[Taiwan]].  Hence, while many observers of the Chinese civil war thought that the fall of Hainan to the Communists would be followed shortly by the fall of Taiwan, the lack of any Communist guerrilla force on Taiwan and its sheer distance from the mainland made this impossible, as did the arrival of the US 7th fleet in the Taiwan Strait after the outbreak of the [[Korean War]] in June.
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On May 1, 1950, under the [[People's Republic of China]], the Hainan Special Administrative Region became an Administrative Region Office (海南行政区公署), which basically made it into a branch of the [[Guangdong]] provincial government. On October 1, 1984, it became the Hainan Administrative Region (海南行政区), with a People's Government, and finally became a province separate from Guangdong four years later.
  
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On May 1, 1950, under the [[PRC]], the Special Administrative Region became an Administrative Region Office (海南行政区公署), a branch of the Guangdong provincial government. On October 1, 1984, it became the Hainan Administrative Region (海南行政区), with a People's Government, and finally as province separate from [[Guangdong]] four years later.
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After they had established control over the island, the [[Communist Party of China|Communists]] resumed economic development more or less along the same lines established by the [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]], but the results were limited by the island's isolation, its humid and [[typhoon]]-prone climate, and its continuing reputation as a place of danger and exile by mainland Chinese. In 1988, when the island was made into a separate province, it was also designated as a [[Special Economic Zone]], in an effort to increase investment and subsequently boost the provincial economy.
  
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The Communists resumed development of the island along the lines established by the [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]], but the results were limited by the island's isolation, its humid and [[typhoon]]-prone climate, and its continuing reputation as a place of danger and exile by mainland Chinese. In 1988 the island was again made a separate province, and was designated a [[Special Economic Zone]] in an effort to increase investment.
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== Geography ==
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[[Image:Sanya River.JPG|right|thumb|200px|[[Sanya River]] ]]
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Hainan, separated by the [[Qiongzhou Strait]] (瓊州海峽) from the [[Leizhou Peninsula]] (雷州半島) of [[Guangdong]], is the largest island administered by the [[People's Republic of China]]. The PRC however, regard it as the second largest island, since [[Taiwan]] is considered the largest. To the west of Hainan is the [[Gulf of Tonkin]]. [[Wuzhi Mountain]], at an elevation of 1,876<!--&nbsp;—>m, is the highest point on the island.
  
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During the mid-1980s, when Hainan was still part of the [[Guangdong]] Province, a fourteen-month episode of marketing zeal by Hainan Special District Administrator Lei Yu<ref>Subsequently Vice Mayor of Shenzhen SEZ (May 1985 to January 1988), Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou (January 1988 to April 1992) and Vice Chairman of Guangxi AR (April 1992 to January 1996).</ref> put Hainan's pursuit of provincial status under a cloud. It involved the duty-free imports from [[Hong Kong]] of 90,000 Japanese-made cars and trucks at a cost of C¥&nbsp;4.5 billion (US$&nbsp;1.5 billion), and exporting them &ndash; with the help of local naval units &ndash; to the mainland, making 150% profits. By comparison, only 10,000 vehicles were imported into Hainan since 1950. In addition, it involved further consignments of 2.9 million TV sets, 252,000 videocassette recorders & 122,000 motorcycles. The money was taken from the 1983 central government funds destined for the construction of the island's transportation infrastructure (roads, railways, airports, harbours) over the next ten years.
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Most of the rivers in Hainan originate in its central area and flow radially in different directions. The [[Nandu River]] in the northern part of the island is 314<!--&nbsp,-->km long, and its [[tributary]], the [[Xinwu River]], is 109<!--&nbsp,—>km long, while the [[Changhua River]] in the west is 230<!--&nbsp,—>km long, and the [[Wanquan River]] in the east is 162<!--&nbsp,—>km long. Evaporation during the dry season around the coastal areas greatly reduces the flow of these rivers. There are very few natural lakes in Hainan. There is a well-known artificial [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]], the [[Songtao Reservoir]], in the central-north area.
  
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The central government funds were deemed insufficient by the Hainan authorities for the construction of the island's other infrastructures (water works, power stations, telecommunications, etc.) and had taken a very liberal interpretation of the economic and trade regulations for Hainan and thirteen coastal cities; the regulations did not mention on prohibiting the re-selling of second hand goods. Some of the proceeds, from unsold units, were later retrieved by the central government to re-finance the special district.
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Hainan has a tropical moist [[monsoon]]al [[climate]]. Its annual temperature change is less than 15 [[degrees Celsius]]. The coldest months are January and February when the temperatures drop to 16 to 21 degrees Celsius, and the hottest months are July and August, when the temperatures are 25 to 29 degrees Celsius. Except for the mountainous regions in the central part of the island, the daily average temperature in Hainan is above 10 degrees Celsius. The summer in the north is swelteringly hot and, for more than 20 days in a year, the temperature can be higher than 35 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 1500 to 2000 [[Millimeter|mm]] and can be as high as 2400<!--&nbsp;—>mm in central and eastern areas, and as low as 900<!--&nbsp;—>mm in the coastal areas of the southwest. The eastern part of Hainan lies in the path of [[typhoon]]s, and 70 percent of the annual precipitation is derived from typhoons and the summer rainy season. Major flooding occurs due to typhoons and that can cause many problems for the local residents.
  
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== Geography ==
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In the official [[PRC]] territorial claim, Hainan Province includes not just one island, but also some two hundred [[South China Sea Islands]]. The containment of the South China Sea Islands provides Hainan with a very large water body, but disproportionately small land area. [[James Shoal]] island (曾母暗沙 Zengmu Ansha), which is presently marked by the [[People's Republic of China]], signifies the country's southernmost border, but the [[Malaysia|Malaysians]] also claim it as part of their continental territory.
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[[Image:HainanFromSRTM30.PNG|thumb|Topography of Hainan (heights in metres).]]
 
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Hainan, separated by the [[Qiongzhou Strait]] (瓊州海峽) from the [[Leizhou Peninsula]] (雷州半島) of [[Guangdong]], is the largest island administered by the [[People's Republic of China]]. The PRC, however, regard it as the second largest island, since [[Taiwan]] is considered the largest. To the West of Hainan is the [[Gulf of Tonkin]]. [[Wuzhi Mountain]] (1,876&nbsp;m) is the highest mountain in the island.
 
  
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Most of the rivers in Hainan originate in the central area of the island and flow radially in different directions. The [[Nandu River]] in the northern part of the island is 314&nbsp,km long, and its [[tributary]], the [[Xinwu River]], is 109&nbsp,km long, the [[Changhua River]] in the west is 230&nbsp,km long, and the [[Wanquan River]] in the east is 162&nbsp,km long. Evaporation during the dry season around the coastal areas greatly reduces the flow of the rivers.
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Major cities:
  
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There are very few natural lakes in Hainan. There is a well-known artificial [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]], the [[Songtao Reservoir]], in the central-north area.
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*[[Haikou]]
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*[[Sanya]]
  
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Hainan has a tropical moist monsoonal climate. Its annual temperature change is less than 15 [[degrees Celsius]]. The coldest months are January and February when the temperatures drop to 16 to 21 degrees Celsius; the hottest months are July and August, and the temperatures are 25 to 29 degrees Celsius. Except for the mountainous regions in the central part of the island, the daily average temperature in Hainan is above 10 degrees Celsius, and the integrated temperature during the growing season of the crops reaches eight thousand to nine thousand [[growing degree day|degree Celsius-days]]. The summer in the north is swelteringly hot and, for more than 20 days in a year, the temperature can be higher than 35 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 1500 to 2000&nbsp;[[Millimeter|mm]] and can be as high as 2400&nbsp;mm in central and eastern areas, and as low as 900&nbsp;mm in the coastal areas of the southwest. The eastern part of Hainan lies in the path of typhoons, and 70% of the annual precipitation is derived from typhoons and the summer rainy season. Major flooding occurs due to the typhoons and they can cause many problems for the local residents.
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Major rivers and lakes:
  
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In the official [[PRC]] territorial claim, Hainan Province includes not just one island, but also some two hundred [[South China Sea Islands]]. The containment of the South China Sea Islands makes Hainan Province have a very large water body, but disproportionally small land area. [[James Shoal]] (曾母暗沙 Zengmu Ansha), which is presently marked by the PRC, signifies the country's southernmost border. But the Malaysians also claim it is on their continental shelf.
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*[[Quanhe River]]
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*[[Nandu River]]
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*[[Xinwu River]]
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*[[Changwua River]]
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*[[Wanquan River]]
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*[[Sanya River]]
  
 
== Administrative divisions ==
 
== Administrative divisions ==
  
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== Economy ==
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Hainan's system of administrative division differs from the other provinces of China. Most of the other provinces are divided entirely into [[Political divisions of China#Prefecture-level|prefecture-level divisions]], which are then further divided into [[Political divisions of China#County-level|county-level divisions]]. The county-level divisions generally do not come directly under the province. In Hainan however, nearly all county-level divisions (except for its four districts) come directly under the province. This method of division is due to Hainan's relatively sparse population.  
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Since the 1980s, Hainan province has been a [[Special Economic Zone]] of China. Prior to this, the province had a reputation for being a "[[Wild West]]" area, largely untouched by [[industrialisation]]; even today there are relatively few [[factories]] in the province. [[Tourism]] plays an important part of Hainan Province's economy, thanks largely to its tropical beaches and lush forests.
 
  
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The economy is not subject to the policies of the mainland.
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Hainan is divided into two [[prefecture-level cities]] and 16 directly controlled [[Political divisions of China#County-level|county-level divisions]], including six [[county-level cities]], four [[County of China|counties]], and six [[autonomous counties]]:
  
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Its nominal GDP for 2006 was 105.24 billion yuan (US$13.6 billion), making it the 4th smallest in all of the PRC and contributes just 0.5% to the entire country's economy. Its GDP per capita was 12,650 yuan (US$1,640).
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Prefecture-level:
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* [[Haikou]] City (海口市 Hǎikǒu Shì)
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== Demographics ==
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* [[Sanya]] City (三亚市 Sānyà Shì)
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[[Image:Hainan ethnolinguistic 1967.png|right|thumb|Ethnolinguistic groups on Hainan in 1967<br/>{{smaller|([[:Image:China ethnolinguistic 1967.jpg|Link to entire map]] including key)}}.]]
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[[Image:Hainan tmo 07feb05 250m.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Satellite image of Hainan]]
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In 2000, the ethnic groups of Hainan included the [[Han Chinese]], known as the [[Hainanese (ethnic)|Hainanese]], who currently make a majority (84% of the population); the [[Li people]] (14.7% of the population); the [[Hmong people|Miao (Hmong)]] (0.7%) and the [[Zhuang]] (0.6%). The Li are the largest indigenous group on the island in terms of population. Also found on the island are the [[Utsul]]s, descendants of [[Cham people|Cham]] refugees, who are classified as [[Hui people|Hui]] by the Chinese government.
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County-level:
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* [[Wenchang]] City (文昌市 Wénchāng Shì)
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* [[Qionghai]] City (琼海市 Qiónghǎi Shì)
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* [[Wanning]] City (万宁市 Wànníng Shì)
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* [[Wuzhishan]] City (五指山市 Wǔzhǐshān Shì)
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* [[Dongfang]] City (东方市 Dōngfāng Shì)
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* [[Danzhou]] City (儋州市 Dānzhōu Shì)
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* [[Lingao County]] (临高县 Língāo Xiàn)
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* [[Chengmai County]] (澄迈县 Chéngmài Xiàn)
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* [[Ding'an County]] (定安县 Dìng'ān Xiàn)
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* [[Tunchang County]] (屯昌县 Túnchāng Xiàn)
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* [[Changjiang Li Autonomous County]] (昌江黎族自治县 Chāngjiāng Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
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* [[Baisha Li Autonomous County]] (白沙黎族自治县 Báishā Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
 +
* [[Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County]] (琼中黎族苗族自治县 Qióngzhōng Lízú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn)
 +
* [[Lingshui Li Autonomous County]] (陵水黎族自治县 Língshuǐ Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
 +
* [[Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County]] (保亭黎族苗族自治县 Bǎotíng Lízú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn)
 +
* [[Ledong Li Autonomous County]] (乐东黎族自治县 Lèdōng Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
  
−
There are 90,000 [[Buddhist]] Hainanese, and 6,500 [[Muslim]]s. Most, if not all, of the Muslims are [[Utusls]] living near Sanya. Because Hainan was a point in the travel route of missionaries, there are many [[Christian]]s: 35,000 [[Protestant]]s and 4,100 [[Catholic]]s.  
+
Those cities and counties are in turn divided into 218 [[Political divisions of China#Township-level|township-level divisions]] (20 [[town of China|town]]s, 181 [[township of China|township]]s, and 17 [[subdistrict]]s).
  
−
The Han Chinese of Hainan speak a variant of the [[Min Nan]] Chinese language, known as [[Hainanese (linguistics)|Hainanese]]. In addition, the national standard ''[[Standard Mandarin|Putonghua]]'' is understood and spoken by most people, and [[Standard Cantonese]] is understood by many local Hainanese. English is understood by some of the younger generation, but Hainan still largely remains a non-English speaking environment. The [[Li people]] have their own language, as do the [[Hmong people|Miao]] and [[Zhuang]]. The latter three groups would usually speak Standard Mandarin as a second language.
+
== Economy ==
 +
Since the 1980s, Hainan province has been a [[Special Economic Zone]] of China. Prior to this, the province had a reputation for being a "[[Wild West]]" area, largely untouched by [[industrialization]]. Even today, there are relatively few [[factories]] in the province. In terms of [[agriculture]], the province has developed a small economy, which is comprised mainly of natural [[rubber]], [[seed]] breeding, [[vegetable]]s, tropical [[fruit]]s, tropical [[flower]]s and [[plant]]s, and marine [[aquaculture]]. Major tropical crops with large growing areas and high economic value include [[coconut]]s, [[oil]] palm, betel palm, [[pepper]], sisal [[hemp]], [[lemon grass]], [[cashew]]s, and [[cocoa]]. Currently, 3.152 million [[hectare]]s of land in Hainan have been cultivated, while 260,000 hectares remain untouched, around 90 percent of which are potential farming lands.
  
−
== Education ==
+
Hainan has an abundant mineral resources pool. Over 10 varieties of superior minerals hold a very important position in China’s mining industry, including glass-quality quartz [[sand]], [[natural gas]], [[titanium]], [[zircon]], [[sapphire]], [[crystal]], oil shale and [[zeolite]]. The reserves of [[iron]] ore account for roughly 70 percent of the country’s high-grade iron ore reserves. The reserves of titanium and zircon make up 70 and 60 percent of the country’s totals respectively. In addition, [[gold]], [[granite]] and mineral water are of significant developmental value for the province.
  
−
== Culture ==
+
In addition, a basic industrial system is beginning to take shape in the province, focusing on [[natural gas]], [[chemicals]], building materials, [[beverages]], [[food]], [[medicine]], chemical fibers, [[textiles]], [[machinery]], [[electronics]], [[metallurgy]], and several other industries. While this nascent industrial economy grows, [[tourism]] will continue to play an important part of Hainan's economy, largely because of its relatively untouched tropical beaches and lush forests.
  
−
Hainan cuisine is said to be "lighter, with mild seasonings." A lot of local taste is mixed with the Han Chinese taste. Seafood predominates the menu, as shrimp, crab, fish and other sealife are widely available.
+
Its nominal GDP for 2006 was 105.24 billion yuan (US$13.6 billion), making it the fourth smallest in all of the [[People's Republic of China]], contributing a minuscule 0.5 percent to the entire country's economy. Its GDP per capita was 12,650 yuan (US$1,640).
  
−
[[Hainan chicken rice]], a famous dish in Southeast Asia bearing the region's name, can be found on the island though it is not as popular there as its fame would suggest.
 
  
−
== Tourism ==
+
=== Space Exploration ===
−
As Hainan Island is not heavily industrialised, its greenery, together with its beautiful beaches and clean air, make it a popular tourist attraction. The island is accessible through ferry links with Guangdong province, as well as air links. There are two airports, [[Meilan Airport]] in [[Haikou]], and Phoenix Airport in [[Sanya]].
+
One of the major satellite launch centers of China is located in Hainan near the city of [[Wenchang]]. It is called [[Wenchang Satellite Launch Center]] and is the launch center closest to the equator. Along with this one, China announced in October of 2007 that it would build its fourth space launch center, just a week after it fired off its first lunar orbiter. The new launch center, to be built on the southern end of Hainan, is scheduled to be completed in 2012 and start operating in 2013.  
  
−
In December 2004, the Guangdong-Hainan passenger railway link opened, connecting Guangzhou in Guangdong province on the mainland to Hainan Island. The complete trip, which includes crossing the Qiongzhou Strait by ferry, takes a total of 12 hours. The project cost $583 million US and is expected to greatly enhance Hainan's tourism and economic development. This is important because Hainan currently lags well behind Shenzhen and Zhuhai special economic zones, which border Hong Kong and Macao, respectively.
+
The location of the launch center in Hainan, a low-latitude region, will displace more than 6,000 residents. These individuals will be forced to relocate, in order to make way for the space center, which will occupy 1,200 hectares. The site will be mainly used for launching various kinds of satellites and large space stations, and the plan has been approved by the government. A 407-hectare space themed park will also be constructed near the new launch center.
  
−
Hainan Island is often divided into eight regions for tourism purposes: Haikou and area (Haikou, [[Qiongshan]], [[Ding'an]]); the Northeast ([[Wenchang]]); the Central East Coast (Qionghai, Ding'an); the South East Coast; the South (Sanya); the West Coast (Ledong, Dongfang, Changilang); the North West ([[Danzhou]], Lingao, Chengmai); and the Central Highlands (Baisha, Qiongzhong, and Wuzhishan/Tongzha).
+
== Demographics ==
 +
[[Image:Hainan ethnolinguistic 1967.png|right|thumb|Ethnolinguistic groups on Hainan in 1967<br/>{{smaller|([[:Image:China ethnolinguistic 1967.jpg|Link to entire map]] including key)}}.]]
 +
In 2000, the ethnic groups of Hainan included the [[Han Chinese]], known as the [[Hainanese (ethnic)|Hainanese]], who currently make up a majority (84 percent of the population). In addition, minority groups include the [[Li people]] (14.7 percent of the population), the [[Hmong people|Miao (Hmong)]] (0.7 percent) and the [[Zhuang]] (0.6 percent). The Li are the largest indigenous group on the island in terms of population. Also found on the island are the [[Utsul]]s, descendants of [[Cham people|Cham]] refugees, who are classified as [[Hui people|Hui]] by the Chinese government.
  
−
Haikou is the province's capital and contains interesting historic sites. Also known as Coconut City, Haikou is a major port.  The Five Official's Temple consists of five traditional temples and halls that were built in honour of five officials of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. These officials were banished to Hainan for periods ranging from 11 days to 11 years for speaking out against what they felt were wrong practices by the Emperors. (It is perhaps significant that the establishment of the Five Officials Temple in the late 19th century coincides with a time when China's territorial integrity was under threat, and that several of the officials honoured here were exiled for espousing aggressive policies on the recapture of the north of China from the [[Jurchens]] during the Southern [[Song dynasty]].)
+
In terms of religion, Hainan is quite diverse, as there are 90,000 [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] Hainanese, and 6,500 [[Muslim]]s. Most, if not all, of the Muslims are [[Utusls]] living near [[Sanya]]. Because Hainan was a point in the travel route of missionaries, there are also many [[Christian]]s, including 35,000 [[Protestant]]s and 4,100 [[Catholic]]s.
  
−
Xiuying Fort Barbette was built in 1891 to defend the southeastern corner of China during the Sino-French War. The Xiuying Fort Barbette covers about a third of an acre. Its five large cannons are still intact and viewable at the site.
+
== Education ==
 +
According to statistics from the end of 2000, there were 5 higher education institutions in Hainan, with 18,504 students enrolled and and 1,571 teachers. In addition, there were 88 specialized secondary schools with 44,127 students and 3,145 teachers, and 503 secondary schools with 435,789 students and 1,354 teachers. At the primary school level, there were 4,167 schools with 156,735 students and 50,339 teachers. The enrollment rate of school-age children was 99.71 percent.
  
−
Hairui Tomb is a key national cultural protection site. [[Hai Rui]] was a compassionate and popular official of Hainanese origins who lived during the Ming Dynasty.  He was famous for his lifelong honesty and his willingness to speak out on behalf of local people.  In later life, Hai Rui was persecuted and fell out of favour with the emperor. His admirers built the Hai Rui Tomb after his death to commemorate his great works. Construction of the tomb began in 1589.
+
== Culture ==
 +
The [[Han Chinese]] of Hainan speak a variant of the [[Min Nan]] Chinese language, known as [[Hainanese (linguistics)|Hainanese]]. In addition, the national standard ''[[Standard Mandarin|Putonghua]]'' is understood and spoken by most people, and [[Standard Cantonese]] is understood by many local Hainanese. English is understood by some of the younger generation, but Hainan still largely remains a non-English speaking environment. The [[Li people]] have their own language, as do the [[Hmong people|Miao]] and [[Zhuang]]. The latter three groups would usually speak Standard Mandarin as a second language.
  
−
Perhaps the best known tourist attractions of Hainan Island are its world class beaches, luxurious hot springs, and beautiful scenery. With white sand beaches, tranquil green waters and areas of lush vegetation, Hainan has much to offer. Some top scenic sites are Yalong bay National Resort; Dadonghai Tourist Resort; Qizhi Shan (Seven Finger Mountain), Guantang Hot Spring Resort, Shishan Volcanic Garden; [[Wanquan River]], Baishi Ridge Scenic Zone and Baihua Ridge. Visitors should be aware that once they get to Hainan, there is a dearth of tourist information in English (or Mandarin), so finding how to get to the top tourist sites is not always easy.  Compounding this is the abundance of inferior tourist attractions that are rapidly springing up to take advantage of the new tourism economy.
+
Hainan cuisine is said to be "lighter, with mild seasonings."  A variety of local tastes and flavors are mixed in with the [[Han Chinese]] flavors, creating a unique variation. As would be expected from an island, [[seafood]] predominates the menu, as [[shrimp]], [[crab]], [[fish]], and other sea-life are widely available. [[Hainan chicken rice]], a famous dish in [[Southeast Asia]] bearing the region's name, can be found on the island though it is not as popular there as its fame would suggest.
  
−
China announced in Oct. 2007 that it would build its fourth space launch centre, just a week after it fired off its first lunar orbiter. The new launch centre, to be built on the southern island province of Hainan, is scheduled to be completed in 2012 and start operating in 2013.  The location of the launch centre in Hainan, a low-latitude region, will displace more than 6,000 residents that will be relocated make way for the space centre, which will occupy 1,200 hectares.
+
=== Historical and Cultural Sites ===
−
The site will be mainly used for launching various kinds of satellites and large space stations, the plan has been approved by the government.  A 407-hectare space themed park will also be constructed near the new launch centre.
+
[[Image:HN QH Yacht Wharf 2 Boao Jade Belt beach.jpg|right|thumb|A beach resort in Hainan]]
 +
As Hainan Island is not heavily industrialized, its greenery, together with its beautiful [[beaches]] and clean air make it a popular [[tourism|tourist]] attraction. The island is accessible through ferry links with [[Guangdong]], as well as a variety of air links provided by the two main airports, [[Meilan Airport]] in [[Haikou]], and Phoenix Airport in [[Sanya]].
  
−
Some attractions in Hainan include:
+
In December 2004, the [[Guangdong]]-Hainan passenger railway link opened, connecting [[Guangzhou]] in Guangdong province directly to Hainan island. The complete trip, which includes crossing the [[Qiongzhou Strait]] by ferry, takes a total of 12 hours. The project cost $583 million United States and is expected to greatly enhance Hainan's tourism and economic development. This is important because Hainan currently lags well behind [[Shenzhen]] and [[Zhuhai]] special economic zones, which border [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]], respectively.
−
* [[Qiong Opera]]<!--(??)—>
 
−
* [[Yalong Wan]] (亞龍灣 Crescent Dragon Bay), Sanya City, southern Hainan: seven-kilometre beach.
 
  
−
The province has initiated a visa-upon-arrival policy for foreign tourist groups from twenty-one countries in 2000, in order to attract visitors. It received 380,000 overseas tourists in 2002.
+
Hainan Island is often divided into eight regions for tourism purposes: the [[Haikou]] area (Haikou, [[Qiongshan]], [[Ding'an]]), the Northeast ([[Wenchang]]), the Central East Coast (Qionghai, Ding'an), the South East Coast, the South (Sanya), the West Coast (Ledong, Dongfang, Changilang), the North West ([[Danzhou]], Lingao, Chengmai), and the Central Highlands (Baisha, Qiongzhong, and Wuzhishan/Tongzha). Haikou is the province's capital and contains interesting historic sites. Also known as Coconut City, Haikou is a major port.  
  
 +
The Five Official's Temple consists of five traditional temples and halls that were built in honor of five officials of the [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]] (618-907) and [[Song Dynasty|Song]] (960-1279) Dynasties. These officials were banished to Hainan for periods ranging from 11 days to 11 years for speaking out against what they felt were wrong practices by the Emperors. (It is perhaps significant that the establishment of the Five Officials Temple in the late nineteenth century coincides with a time when China's territorial integrity was under threat, and that several of the officials honored here were exiled for espousing aggressive policies on the recapture of the north of China from the [[Jurchens]] during the Southern [[Song dynasty]].)
  
 +
Xiuying Fort Barbette was built in 1891 to defend the southeastern corner of China during the [[Sino-French War]]. The Xiuying Fort Barbette covers about a third of an acre. Its five large cannons are still intact and viewable at the site.
  
−
== Miscellaneous topics ==
+
Hairui Tomb is a key national cultural protection site. [[Hai Rui]] was a compassionate and popular official of Hainanese origins who lived during the Ming Dynasty. He was famous for his lifelong honesty and his willingness to speak out on behalf of local people. In later life, Hai Rui was persecuted and fell out of favour with the emperor. His admirers built the Hai Rui Tomb after his death to commemorate his great works. Construction of the tomb began in 1589.
−
*Hainan is a [[sister province]] of [[Jeju]] island-province of [[South Korea]] and of the Canadian island-province of [[Prince Edward Island]].
 
−
*The [[novel]], ''[[Red Detachment of Women]]'', by [[Liang Xin]], was set in Hainan. The novel was first adapted to a feature film in the 1950s, and then a [[ballet]] in the 1960s as one of the [[Eight model plays]]. Most of the people of that time derived their romanticized image of Hainan Island from the scenes in the ballet, particularly that of the vivid forests of coconut trees, the Five-Finger Mountain ([[Wuzhi Shan]]), and the [[Wanquan River]].
 
−
*One of the satellite launch centers of China is located in Hainan near the city of [[Wenchang]]. It is called [[Wenchang Satellite Launch Center]]. It is the launch center closest to the equator.
 
−
*The [[Hainan Gibbon]] is one of the world's most endangered primates. [[Seacology]], a non-profit organization in Berkeley, CA, initiated a project to protect the highly endangered Hainan Gibbon in exchange for scholarships for the children of four villages near [[Bawangling Reserve]].
 
  
−
== Notes ==
+
Perhaps the best known tourist attractions of Hainan Island are its world class beaches, luxurious hot springs, and beautiful scenery. With white sand beaches, tranquil green waters and areas of lush vegetation, Hainan has much to offer. Some top scenic sites are Yalong bay National Resort, Dadonghai Tourist Resort, Qizhi Shan (Seven Finger Mountain), Guantang Hot Spring Resort, Shishan Volcanic Garden; [[Wanquan River]], Baishi Ridge Scenic Zone and Baihua Ridge.
−
<div style="references-small"><references/></div>
 
  
−
== Further reading ==
+
The province has initiated a visa-upon-arrival policy for foreign tourist groups from 21 countries in 2000, in order to attract visitors. It received 380,000 overseas tourists in 2002.
−
*D'Arcy Brown, Liam (2003). ''Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior: travels to China's extremes''. London: John Murray. ISBN 0-7195-6038-1
 
  
−
== See also ==
+
== References ==
−
*[[Hainan Island incident]]
+
* Brink, Judy, and Joan P. Mencher. ''Mixed Blessings Gender and Religious Fundamentalism Cross Culturally''. New York: Routledge, 1997. ISBN 9780415911856
 +
* Brown, Liam D'Arcy. ''Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior A Journey Round China's Symbolic Frontiers''. London: John Murray, 2003. ISBN 9780719560385
 +
* Cadario, Paul M., Kazuko Ogawa, and Yin-Kann Wen. ''A Chinese Province As a Reform Experiment The Case of Hainan'. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 1992. ISBN 9780821321690
 +
* Fellowes, John R., and Gloria L. P. Siu. 'Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Jiaxi Nature Reserve, Western Hainan, China, June 1999''. South China forest biodiversity survey report series, no. 25. Hong Kong: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Corp, 2003. ISBN 9789628673599
 +
* Lodwick, Kathleen L. ''Educating the Women of Hainan The Career of Margaret Moninger in China, 1915-1942''. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 1995. ISBN 9780813118826
 +
* Schafer, Edward H. ''Shore of Pearls''. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970. ISBN 9780520015920
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
* [http://www.hi.gov.cn/ Official Provincial Website (in Simplified Chinese)] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
+
All links retrieved January 21, 2024.
−
* [http://www.muztagh.com/images/map/map-of-hainan-large.jpg Large map of Hainan] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
+
* [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/43578.htm Overview of Hainan]  
−
* [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/43578.htm Overview of Hainan] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
+
* [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hainan/ Hainan travel guide]  
−
* [http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/hainan.html People's Daily] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
+
* [http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_to_build_fourth_space_launch_centre_999.html Chinese space program in Hainan]
−
* [http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/population/database/chinadata/hainan.htm UNESCAP] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
 
−
* [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hainan/ Hainan travel guide] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
 
−
* [http://www.hainan-world.com/ The World of Hainan] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
 
−
* [http://www.sinomedia.net/eurobiz/v200702/regional0702.html Hainan news feature] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
 
−
* [http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_to_build_fourth_space_launch_centre_999.html Chinese space program in Hainan] Retrieved November 23, 2007.
 
  
 
{{SEZ}}
 
{{SEZ}}
 
{{Province-level divisions of PR China}}
 
{{Province-level divisions of PR China}}
 
{{Hainan}}
 
{{Hainan}}
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{{coor title dms|19|06|24|N|109|34|03|E|region:CN-46_type:isle}}
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{{Countries and territories of Southeast Asia}}
 
 
{{Austronesian-speaking}}
 
{{Austronesian-speaking}}
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[[Category:Geography]]
  
 
{{credits|170234746}}
 
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Latest revision as of 16:53, 21 January 2024


海南省
Hǎinán Shěng
Abbreviations: simplified Chinese: 琼; traditional Chinese: 瓊 (Pinyin: Qióng, POJ: khêng, Jyutping: king4)
Hainan is highlighted on this map
Origin of name 海 hǎi – sea
南 nán – south
"South of the Sea [Qiongzhou Strait]"
Administration type Province
Capital
(and largest city)		 Haikou
CPC Ctte Secretary Wei Liucheng
Governor Jiang Dingzhi (蒋定之)
Area 33920 km² (28th)
Population (2010)
 - Density 		8,671,518 (28th)
254.7/km² (17th)
GDP (2011)
 - per capita 		CNY 251.5 billion
US$ 39.9 billion (28th)
CNY 23,831
US$ 3,520 (23rd)
HDI (2008) 0.784 (medium) (17th)
Major nationalities Han – 82.6%
Li – 15.84%
Miao – 0.82%
Zhuang – 0.67%
Prefecture-level 2 divisions
County-level 20 divisions
Township-level† 218 divisions
ISO 3166-2 CN-46
Official website
http://www.hi.gov.cn
(Simplified Chinese)
Source for population and GDP data:
《中国统计年鉴—2005》 China Statistical Yearbook 2005
ISBN 7503747382
Source for nationalities data:
《2000年人口普查中国民族人口资料》 Tabulation on nationalities of 2000 population census of China
ISBN 7105054255
† As at December 31, 2004


Hainan (Chinese: 海南; pinyin: Hǎinán ▶) is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China, located off the southern coast of the country. It consists of several islands, the largest of which is also called Hainan Island (Hainan Dao). When speaking of "Hainan" in Chinese, it is usually the main Hainan Island that is referred to. The province is closest in proximity to Guangxi autonomous region and Guangdong province to the north, and the port cities of Hong Kong and Macau to the northeast.

Hainan island was called the Pearl Cliffs (珠崖 Zhūyá), Fine Jade Cliffs (瓊崖 Qióngyá), and the Fine Jade Land (瓊州 Qióngzhōu). The latter two gave rise to the province's abbreviation, Qióng (琼 in Simplified Chinese), referring to the greenery cover on the island. The People's Republic of China government claims Hainan's territories to extend to the southern Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands and other disputed marine territories. In addition, Hainan is also known as the largest Special Economic Zone laid out by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping after the economic reforms of the late 1970s.

The province has long been considered a place of exile rather than immigration by Chinese. Hainan served as an exile island for dissent government officials who had not warranted execution. The natural beauty and remoteness of the island has been providing a means for economic development. First, Hainan has become a popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches and mountains. Secondly, the Chinese government selected Hainan as its main space launch site. That could provide the island province with impetus to develop knowledge age industries, permitting a bypass of heavy manufacturing industries and focus on clean industries suited to the natural environment.

History

Hainan first entered written Chinese history in 110 B.C.E., when the Han Dynasty established a military garrison there. Settlement by mainlanders proved slow however, and from early on Chinese considered the island fit only for exiles. During that period the Li people arrived from Guangxi and displaced the island's aboriginal Austronesian-speaking peoples. In the Wu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms period, Hainan belonged to the Zhuya Commandery (珠崖郡).

Under the Song Dynasty, Hainan came under the control of Guangxi Province, and for the first time large numbers of Han Chinese arrived, settling mostly in the north. Under the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368), it became an independent province, but was made into part of Guangdong during the Ming Dynasty in 1370.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, large numbers of Han from Fujian and Guangdong began migrating to Hainan, pushing the Li into the highlands in the southern half of the island. In the eighteenth century, the Li rebelled against the government, which responded by bringing in mercenaries from the Miao regions of Guizhou. Many of the Miao settled on the island and their descendants continue to live in the western highlands to this day.

Hainan has historically been considered part of Guangdong and Guangxi, but became the Ch'iung-yai or Qiongya Circuit (瓊崖道) in 1912 upon the establishment of the Republic of China. In 1921, it was planned to become a Special Administrative Region (瓊崖特別行政區), and in 1944, it became Hainan Special Administrative Region with 16 counties, including many of the South China Sea islands.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Hainan was a hotbed of Communist activity, especially after a bloody crackdown in Shanghai in 1927 drove many Communists into hiding. The Communists and the Li natives fought a vigorous guerrilla campaign against Japanese occupation from 1939-1945, but in retaliation, over one third of the male population of both groups were killed by the Japanese. Feng Baiju led the Hainan Independent Column of fighters throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the Nationalist Party (KMT) re-established control over the island. It was one of the last areas of China to be controlled by the Republic of China. However, from March to May 1950, the Landing Operation on Hainan Island (Chinese: 海南島登陸戰役; Pinyin: Hǎinándǎo Dēnglù Zhànyì) captured the area for the CCP. Feng Baiju and his Column of guerrilla fighters played an essential role in scouting for the landing operation and coordinated their own offensive from their jungle bases on the island. This allowed the Hainan takeover to be successful where the Jinmen and Dengbu assaults had failed in the previous fall. The takeover was made possible by the presence of a local guerrilla force that was lacking on Jinmen, Dengbu, and Taiwan. Hence, while many observers of the Chinese civil war thought that the fall of Hainan to the Communists would be followed shortly by the fall of Taiwan, the lack of any Communist guerrilla force on Taiwan and its sheer distance from the mainland made this impossible, as did the arrival of the Unites States seventh fleet in the Taiwan Strait after the outbreak of the Korean War in June of 1950.

On May 1, 1950, under the People's Republic of China, the Hainan Special Administrative Region became an Administrative Region Office (海南行政区公署), which basically made it into a branch of the Guangdong provincial government. On October 1, 1984, it became the Hainan Administrative Region (海南行政区), with a People's Government, and finally became a province separate from Guangdong four years later.

After they had established control over the island, the Communists resumed economic development more or less along the same lines established by the Japanese, but the results were limited by the island's isolation, its humid and typhoon-prone climate, and its continuing reputation as a place of danger and exile by mainland Chinese. In 1988, when the island was made into a separate province, it was also designated as a Special Economic Zone, in an effort to increase investment and subsequently boost the provincial economy.

Geography

Sanya River

Hainan, separated by the Qiongzhou Strait (瓊州海峽) from the Leizhou Peninsula (雷州半島) of Guangdong, is the largest island administered by the People's Republic of China. The PRC however, regard it as the second largest island, since Taiwan is considered the largest. To the west of Hainan is the Gulf of Tonkin. Wuzhi Mountain, at an elevation of 1,876m, is the highest point on the island.

Most of the rivers in Hainan originate in its central area and flow radially in different directions. The Nandu River in the northern part of the island is 314km long, and its tributary, the Xinwu River, is 109km long, while the Changhua River in the west is 230km long, and the Wanquan River in the east is 162km long. Evaporation during the dry season around the coastal areas greatly reduces the flow of these rivers. There are very few natural lakes in Hainan. There is a well-known artificial reservoir, the Songtao Reservoir, in the central-north area.

Hainan has a tropical moist monsoonal climate. Its annual temperature change is less than 15 degrees Celsius. The coldest months are January and February when the temperatures drop to 16 to 21 degrees Celsius, and the hottest months are July and August, when the temperatures are 25 to 29 degrees Celsius. Except for the mountainous regions in the central part of the island, the daily average temperature in Hainan is above 10 degrees Celsius. The summer in the north is swelteringly hot and, for more than 20 days in a year, the temperature can be higher than 35 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 1500 to 2000 mm and can be as high as 2400mm in central and eastern areas, and as low as 900mm in the coastal areas of the southwest. The eastern part of Hainan lies in the path of typhoons, and 70 percent of the annual precipitation is derived from typhoons and the summer rainy season. Major flooding occurs due to typhoons and that can cause many problems for the local residents.

In the official PRC territorial claim, Hainan Province includes not just one island, but also some two hundred South China Sea Islands. The containment of the South China Sea Islands provides Hainan with a very large water body, but disproportionately small land area. James Shoal island (曾母暗沙 Zengmu Ansha), which is presently marked by the People's Republic of China, signifies the country's southernmost border, but the Malaysians also claim it as part of their continental territory.

Major cities:

  • Haikou
  • Sanya

Major rivers and lakes:

  • Quanhe River
  • Nandu River
  • Xinwu River
  • Changwua River
  • Wanquan River
  • Sanya River

Administrative divisions

Hainan's system of administrative division differs from the other provinces of China. Most of the other provinces are divided entirely into prefecture-level divisions, which are then further divided into county-level divisions. The county-level divisions generally do not come directly under the province. In Hainan however, nearly all county-level divisions (except for its four districts) come directly under the province. This method of division is due to Hainan's relatively sparse population.

Hainan is divided into two prefecture-level cities and 16 directly controlled county-level divisions, including six county-level cities, four counties, and six autonomous counties:

Prefecture-level:

  • Haikou City (海口市 Hǎikǒu Shì)
  • Sanya City (三亚市 Sānyà Shì)
Satellite image of Hainan

County-level:

  • Wenchang City (文昌市 Wénchāng Shì)
  • Qionghai City (琼海市 Qiónghǎi Shì)
  • Wanning City (万宁市 Wànníng Shì)
  • Wuzhishan City (五指山市 Wǔzhǐshān Shì)
  • Dongfang City (东方市 Dōngfāng Shì)
  • Danzhou City (儋州市 Dānzhōu Shì)
  • Lingao County (临高县 Língāo Xiàn)
  • Chengmai County (澄迈县 Chéngmài Xiàn)
  • Ding'an County (定安县 Dìng'ān Xiàn)
  • Tunchang County (屯昌县 Túnchāng Xiàn)
  • Changjiang Li Autonomous County (昌江黎族自治县 Chāngjiāng Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
  • Baisha Li Autonomous County (白沙黎族自治县 Báishā Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
  • Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County (琼中黎族苗族自治县 Qióngzhōng Lízú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn)
  • Lingshui Li Autonomous County (陵水黎族自治县 Língshuǐ Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)
  • Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County (保亭黎族苗族自治县 Bǎotíng Lízú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn)
  • Ledong Li Autonomous County (乐东黎族自治县 Lèdōng Lízú Zìzhìxiàn)

Those cities and counties are in turn divided into 218 township-level divisions (20 towns, 181 townships, and 17 subdistricts).

Economy

Since the 1980s, Hainan province has been a Special Economic Zone of China. Prior to this, the province had a reputation for being a "Wild West" area, largely untouched by industrialization. Even today, there are relatively few factories in the province. In terms of agriculture, the province has developed a small economy, which is comprised mainly of natural rubber, seed breeding, vegetables, tropical fruits, tropical flowers and plants, and marine aquaculture. Major tropical crops with large growing areas and high economic value include coconuts, oil palm, betel palm, pepper, sisal hemp, lemon grass, cashews, and cocoa. Currently, 3.152 million hectares of land in Hainan have been cultivated, while 260,000 hectares remain untouched, around 90 percent of which are potential farming lands.

Hainan has an abundant mineral resources pool. Over 10 varieties of superior minerals hold a very important position in China’s mining industry, including glass-quality quartz sand, natural gas, titanium, zircon, sapphire, crystal, oil shale and zeolite. The reserves of iron ore account for roughly 70 percent of the country’s high-grade iron ore reserves. The reserves of titanium and zircon make up 70 and 60 percent of the country’s totals respectively. In addition, gold, granite and mineral water are of significant developmental value for the province.

In addition, a basic industrial system is beginning to take shape in the province, focusing on natural gas, chemicals, building materials, beverages, food, medicine, chemical fibers, textiles, machinery, electronics, metallurgy, and several other industries. While this nascent industrial economy grows, tourism will continue to play an important part of Hainan's economy, largely because of its relatively untouched tropical beaches and lush forests.

Its nominal GDP for 2006 was 105.24 billion yuan (US$13.6 billion), making it the fourth smallest in all of the People's Republic of China, contributing a minuscule 0.5 percent to the entire country's economy. Its GDP per capita was 12,650 yuan (US$1,640).


Space Exploration

One of the major satellite launch centers of China is located in Hainan near the city of Wenchang. It is called Wenchang Satellite Launch Center and is the launch center closest to the equator. Along with this one, China announced in October of 2007 that it would build its fourth space launch center, just a week after it fired off its first lunar orbiter. The new launch center, to be built on the southern end of Hainan, is scheduled to be completed in 2012 and start operating in 2013.

The location of the launch center in Hainan, a low-latitude region, will displace more than 6,000 residents. These individuals will be forced to relocate, in order to make way for the space center, which will occupy 1,200 hectares. The site will be mainly used for launching various kinds of satellites and large space stations, and the plan has been approved by the government. A 407-hectare space themed park will also be constructed near the new launch center.

Demographics

Ethnolinguistic groups on Hainan in 1967
(Link to entire map including key).

In 2000, the ethnic groups of Hainan included the Han Chinese, known as the Hainanese, who currently make up a majority (84 percent of the population). In addition, minority groups include the Li people (14.7 percent of the population), the Miao (Hmong) (0.7 percent) and the Zhuang (0.6 percent). The Li are the largest indigenous group on the island in terms of population. Also found on the island are the Utsuls, descendants of Cham refugees, who are classified as Hui by the Chinese government.

In terms of religion, Hainan is quite diverse, as there are 90,000 Buddhist Hainanese, and 6,500 Muslims. Most, if not all, of the Muslims are Utusls living near Sanya. Because Hainan was a point in the travel route of missionaries, there are also many Christians, including 35,000 Protestants and 4,100 Catholics.

Education

According to statistics from the end of 2000, there were 5 higher education institutions in Hainan, with 18,504 students enrolled and and 1,571 teachers. In addition, there were 88 specialized secondary schools with 44,127 students and 3,145 teachers, and 503 secondary schools with 435,789 students and 1,354 teachers. At the primary school level, there were 4,167 schools with 156,735 students and 50,339 teachers. The enrollment rate of school-age children was 99.71 percent.

Culture

The Han Chinese of Hainan speak a variant of the Min Nan Chinese language, known as Hainanese. In addition, the national standard Putonghua is understood and spoken by most people, and Standard Cantonese is understood by many local Hainanese. English is understood by some of the younger generation, but Hainan still largely remains a non-English speaking environment. The Li people have their own language, as do the Miao and Zhuang. The latter three groups would usually speak Standard Mandarin as a second language.

Hainan cuisine is said to be "lighter, with mild seasonings." A variety of local tastes and flavors are mixed in with the Han Chinese flavors, creating a unique variation. As would be expected from an island, seafood predominates the menu, as shrimp, crab, fish, and other sea-life are widely available. Hainan chicken rice, a famous dish in Southeast Asia bearing the region's name, can be found on the island though it is not as popular there as its fame would suggest.

Historical and Cultural Sites

A beach resort in Hainan

As Hainan Island is not heavily industrialized, its greenery, together with its beautiful beaches and clean air make it a popular tourist attraction. The island is accessible through ferry links with Guangdong, as well as a variety of air links provided by the two main airports, Meilan Airport in Haikou, and Phoenix Airport in Sanya.

In December 2004, the Guangdong-Hainan passenger railway link opened, connecting Guangzhou in Guangdong province directly to Hainan island. The complete trip, which includes crossing the Qiongzhou Strait by ferry, takes a total of 12 hours. The project cost $583 million United States and is expected to greatly enhance Hainan's tourism and economic development. This is important because Hainan currently lags well behind Shenzhen and Zhuhai special economic zones, which border Hong Kong and Macau, respectively.

Hainan Island is often divided into eight regions for tourism purposes: the Haikou area (Haikou, Qiongshan, Ding'an), the Northeast (Wenchang), the Central East Coast (Qionghai, Ding'an), the South East Coast, the South (Sanya), the West Coast (Ledong, Dongfang, Changilang), the North West (Danzhou, Lingao, Chengmai), and the Central Highlands (Baisha, Qiongzhong, and Wuzhishan/Tongzha). Haikou is the province's capital and contains interesting historic sites. Also known as Coconut City, Haikou is a major port.

The Five Official's Temple consists of five traditional temples and halls that were built in honor of five officials of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties. These officials were banished to Hainan for periods ranging from 11 days to 11 years for speaking out against what they felt were wrong practices by the Emperors. (It is perhaps significant that the establishment of the Five Officials Temple in the late nineteenth century coincides with a time when China's territorial integrity was under threat, and that several of the officials honored here were exiled for espousing aggressive policies on the recapture of the north of China from the Jurchens during the Southern Song dynasty.)

Xiuying Fort Barbette was built in 1891 to defend the southeastern corner of China during the Sino-French War. The Xiuying Fort Barbette covers about a third of an acre. Its five large cannons are still intact and viewable at the site.

Hairui Tomb is a key national cultural protection site. Hai Rui was a compassionate and popular official of Hainanese origins who lived during the Ming Dynasty. He was famous for his lifelong honesty and his willingness to speak out on behalf of local people. In later life, Hai Rui was persecuted and fell out of favour with the emperor. His admirers built the Hai Rui Tomb after his death to commemorate his great works. Construction of the tomb began in 1589.

Perhaps the best known tourist attractions of Hainan Island are its world class beaches, luxurious hot springs, and beautiful scenery. With white sand beaches, tranquil green waters and areas of lush vegetation, Hainan has much to offer. Some top scenic sites are Yalong bay National Resort, Dadonghai Tourist Resort, Qizhi Shan (Seven Finger Mountain), Guantang Hot Spring Resort, Shishan Volcanic Garden; Wanquan River, Baishi Ridge Scenic Zone and Baihua Ridge.

The province has initiated a visa-upon-arrival policy for foreign tourist groups from 21 countries in 2000, in order to attract visitors. It received 380,000 overseas tourists in 2002.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Brink, Judy, and Joan P. Mencher. Mixed Blessings Gender and Religious Fundamentalism Cross Culturally. New York: Routledge, 1997. ISBN 9780415911856
  • Brown, Liam D'Arcy. Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior A Journey Round China's Symbolic Frontiers. London: John Murray, 2003. ISBN 9780719560385
  • Cadario, Paul M., Kazuko Ogawa, and Yin-Kann Wen. A Chinese Province As a Reform Experiment The Case of Hainan'. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 1992. ISBN 9780821321690
  • Fellowes, John R., and Gloria L. P. Siu. 'Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Jiaxi Nature Reserve, Western Hainan, China, June 1999. South China forest biodiversity survey report series, no. 25. Hong Kong: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Corp, 2003. ISBN 9789628673599
  • Lodwick, Kathleen L. Educating the Women of Hainan The Career of Margaret Moninger in China, 1915-1942. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 1995. ISBN 9780813118826
  • Schafer, Edward H. Shore of Pearls. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970. ISBN 9780520015920

External links

All links retrieved January 21, 2024.

Economic Development Zones of the People's Republic of China Lujiazui skyline, Pudong, Shanghai.JPG
The Original Four Special Economic Zones
Shenzhen | Zhuhai | Shantou | Xiamen
New Open Development Zones
Hainan Province | Dalian | Qingdao | Qinhuangdao | Lianyungang | Pudong | Yantai | Zhanjiang | Ningbo | Wenzhou | Nantong | Fuzhou | Guangzhou | Beihai
Province-level divisions administered by the People's Republic of China (PRC)
Provinces Anhui · Fujian · Gansu · Guangdong · Guizhou · Hainan · Hebei · Heilongjiang · Henan · Hubei · Hunan · Jiangsu · Jiangxi · Jilin · Liaoning · Qinghai · Shaanxi · Shandong · Shanxi · Sichuan · Taiwan · Yunnan · Zhejiang
Autonomous regions Guangxi · Inner Mongolia · Ningxia · Tibet (Xizang) · Xinjiang
Municipalities Beijing · Chongqing · Shanghai · Tianjin
Special administrative regions Hong Kong · Macau


Prefecture- and county-level divisions of Hainan
Prefecture-level cities: Haikou | Sanya
Districts of Haikou: Longhua | Meilan | Qiongshan | Xiuying
County-level cities: Danzhou | Dongfang | Qionghai | Wanning | Wenchang | Wuzhishan
Counties: Chengmai | Ding'an | Lingao | Tunchang
Autonomous counties: Baisha | Baoting | Changjiang | Ledong | Lingshui | Qiongzhong
List of Hainan Township-level divisions


Austronesian-speaking countries and territories

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