Hainan reflects the fruits of reform and opening-up

The past four decades have seen China perform a development miracle, which is reflected in its regional and local successes. Among the regions to have tasted economic success is China's youngest province of Hainan, which this year marks its 30th anniversary as a province.

I spent last week in the province talking with veteran politicians at the annual Boao Forum for Asia, as well as chatting with taxi drivers, waiters and even pedestrians. Those inspiring conversations showed how the right policies and their implementation can bring about positive economic and social change. For example, Hainan's per captia GDP soared from less than $200 in 1988 to $7,179 last year.

Thanks to reform and opening-up, Hainan is now home to a number of dazzling villas and high-rise holiday apartments, offers jobs and a better life to its residents, and draws hundreds of thousands of travelers from home and abroad.