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Hainan plans reshuffle of administrative systems

By Zhang Jiawei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-03-17 17:06
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South China's Hainan province is planning to reshuffle its administrative divisions by consolidating its 18 counties and cities into six major groups, one each in the east, west, north, south and central parts of the island and the ocean group, the 21st Century Business Herald reported on Wednesday.

The idea was included in the province's plan to develop the island into an international tourist resort, which is awaiting approval from the National Development and Reform Commission, the newspaper said.

"To develop an international tourist island requires us to integrate and make the best use of our resources as well as to end the constraints of the old administrative system," said Chi Fulin, president of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development.

Developing similar projects in different cities and counties in Hainan has become an obstacle for the island's tourism development, said an unnamed CEO of a tourism company.

After the reshuffle, each group will have a different function, which is expected to boost the island's development, according to the newspaper.