The Silk Road Journal by Mahika Ming

Hainan is China’s only tropical island located south of the mainland. It has many ancient Theravada Buddhist archaeological sites which attracts tourists from all over the world. Hainan also is famous due to the 108 meter Bodhisathva Guanyin statue (taller than the statue of Liberty in New York, USA) facing South China Sea. With the Belt and Road initiative (BRI), the Chinese government is planning to develop Hainan as a Free Trade Port (FTP) by 2050. Historically Hainan has been an arrival lounge for international explorers arriving in China during the ancient maritime Silk Road (1400 – 1480AD). How Hainan attracted investors even during the pandemic (being a tropical island with many Buddhist archaeological sites) should be studied by SL Buddhists worried about the philosophy being affected in with the influence of foreign investors, professionals and tourists. As per Chinese statistics Hainan has attracted nearly five billion USD since 2019 from more than 80 countries and international organizations. To encourage international investments the Chinese government has awarded many attractive tax holidays to the international investors coming into Hainan.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Hainan few days back to review the progress. Inspecting the building of the FTP featuring Chinese characteristics was a key item in the President’s agenda. President Xi also paid attention on how Hainan is protecting its environment and biodiversity at the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park. China is one of the few countries which recorded a growth in forest coverage during the past decade. Hainan’s tropical park is one of the largest and best protected contiguous tropical rainforests in the Peoples Republic of China. Sri Lankans keen on protecting the “Sinharaja” forest amid rapid urbanization (in Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces) should study Hainan’s efforts on managing the 4400 SQKM Park which covers nine counties and cities. Another showpiece in Hainan is the 1867 meter high Wuzhishan Mountain which is the highest peak in Hainan in the shape of five fingers. As per Chinese statistics the mountain range is home to 15 species of wild plants and animals which enjoy first class state protection. Hainan is also home to 284 species of endemic plants and 345 species of terrestrial vertebrate wild animals.

Panda brothers Gong Gong and Shun Shun have been attracting the global spotlights during the past three years. At the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden they are being well looked after. Although they never get involved in socio economic activities, they are well loved being symbolic leaders leading a quiet life watching their island home rapidly developing to become an international trade centre… another lesson for Sri Lankans.