Fine island integrates growth and green goals

HAIKOU - Under the betel trees of Beireng village in China's tropical island of Hainan, Wang Qiuxiang's coffee stall always does brisk business, even if her menu is more expensive than those of some boutique coffee shops in the city.

Wang, 46, learned to make coffee from her father, who learned the trade from his parents, who had emigrated to Singapore and ran a snack bar. After quitting a job at a four-star hotel in Qionghai city in Hainan province, where she worked for 17 years, Wang returned to Beireng, her hometown, to start a coffee business in 2014. At the time, the local government was cleaning up the village and planning to develop tourism. "Piles of garbage and sewage used to be everywhere in the village. Villagers themselves were leaving. Why would any tourist want to come?"

Now, with its idyllic setting and well-preserved old buildings, the village of 162 residents receives thousands of tourists each day. It was recognized as one of the most beautiful and livable villages by the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ministry in 2016. "We cherish our clean water and green hills. We clearly know that they can make money and bring us better lives," said villager Lin Zonghao.