A Scholar’s Dedication

By Tan Xingyu, Wang Zhe

Chi Fulin, president of China Institute for Reform and Development based in Hainan.

“He lives and works in Hainan Province but has a broad view of development across China. He is a rare government-officialturned-scholar. He is known for his research on China’s reform of economic system,and he presides over multiple research programs on different subjects. Through his efforts,Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development(CIRD) has a sterling reputation around the world. Located in the southernmost province of China,the CIRD has become one of the most influential think tanks in the country and an important research base focused on China’s reform and development. The person in question is Chi Fulin,renowned for his outstanding contribution to China’s reform.”Ten years ago, this is how Chinese media spoke of Chi’s life and work.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, as well as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan as a province and a special economic zone. Now in his 60s, Chi is considered an iconic figure in the promotion of China’s reform—he remains deeply engaged in both China’s reform and opening up and the development of the Hainan Special Economic Zone.

From military officer to government official to scholar,Chi’s career has swerved sharply over the past 30 years. After living and working in Hainan for many years, he has been devoted his life to furthering the development of China, especially Hainan. He participated in the research and formulation of almost all development plans of the province, including special customs program, free trade area construction and the building of an international tourism island.

“I have dedicated my best years and all my passion to Hainan since I made this place my home. I love the green hills and clear waters here, and I feel so strongly about this cause that I’m willing to work for it.

Development Driven by Reform

“I first arrived in Hainan at the end of 1987,” Chi revealed in an interview with China Report ASEAN. “At the time I was a passionate young man. Before I moved here, I had lived in northern China and I thought Hainan would be a beautiful place with typical southern scenery. But right after I got off the plane in the provincial capital Haikou, I found the reality was totally different from what I had imagined. There wasn’t a single traffic light on the road and the traffic was a mess everywhere.”

In 1987, Hainan’s gross domestic product (GDP) was just over 20 billion yuan and its fiscal revenue was less than 300 million yuan. Chi remembered that when attending a preparatory meeting for the establishment of Hainan as a province, the region’s overall fiscal revenue reported on the meeting was counted by jiao(one-tenth of a yuan) and even fen (one-hundredth of a yuan), a glaring sign of a weak economy.

After rapid economic development over the last 30 years, Hainan’s GDP has increased by 70 times. No longer an isolated island, Hainan is now the biggest special economic zone in China, a first-class international tourism island and a medical tourism pilot zone. Chi considers Hainan’s greatest achievement to be the improved living standards of the locals. Per capita income measured about half the national average 30 years ago, but now it has completely caught up. Over the past 30 years, Hainan has achieved remarkable results in economic development, opening up and improving local people’s well-being in particular. The province has also attracted talent from all over the country to launch businesses.

The significant changes in Hainan were all driven by the country’s reform and opening up. Chi remarked that reform and opening up is in the genes of the province. He also pointed out that the key to Hainan’s next development goal of being China’s most successful special economic zone is to build a free port zone covering the entire island.

Close Knit with Southeast Asia

Hainan and neighboring Southeast Asian countries are highly interdependent in terms of geographic location,natural resources and culture.Hainan’s cultural links with these countries are particularly tight, and Chi understands this balance well from his personal experience. In the old days, many Hainan natives immigrated to countries like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia,the Philippines and Vietnam.Today, large groups of Chinese of Hainan origin can be found throughout Southeast Asia.Hainan is also the ancestral hometown of several Thai deputy prime ministers and finance ministers. Chi remembered that when he invited Chinese of Hainan origin from Southeast Asian countries to dinner, guests with the same family name would sit together around a table and some big families would take up two tables. Hainan and Southeast Asian countries also share some common natural resources.

“Currently Hainan is playing a robust role in the economic integration between China and Southeast Asia,” opined Chi. He mentioned that with a large domestic market and strong capacity for marine infrastructure construction,China can link Southeast Asian countries to a broader market and better maritime facilities in fields such as undersea cables,seawater desalination and marine litter removal. Now a port for cruise ships is under construction in Sanya, a popular tourist city. Passengers will enjoy a quick and convenient transport to Southeast Asian countries when the port is completed.

High-end resort complex on the Phoenix Island, a man-made island at the southeast end of Sanya Bay, Hainan.

Hainan Dream

“Hainan’s development over the past 30 years is a miniature model of 40 years of China’s reform and opening up,” Chi said. “The profound changes of Hainan testify that the decision to establish a special economic zone here was correct. I believe that Hainan will enact further major policies to promote greater openness and further advance the development of the country’s largest special economic zone.”

“My Hainan dream has not yet been fully realized,” Chi added. “I have dedicated my best years and all my passion to Hainan since I made this place my home. I love the green hills and clear waters here, and I feel so strongly about this cause that I’m willing to work for it. I’m confident about the development of Hainan in the coming 30 years. Even though I’m already in my sixties, I still strive to realize my dream.”

As for the future of Hainan,Chi is confident. He noted that after 30 years of development,Hainan has now significantly narrowed the gap with Taiwan in terms of economics, but there is still some way to go.According to Chi, Hainan’s goal of catching up with and even surpassing Taiwan in economic development will be realized in less than 30 years as long as measures to further open up are adopted and growth momentum is maintained in a favorable environment.

“Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China,Hainan will become a more abundant, beautiful and open island,” Chi concluded. “The local residents will become happier, and the province will be where all Chinese people want to come. This is my Hainan dream.”