REGIONAL> Development
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REGIONAL> Development
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Haikou scaling new heights
By Xiao Wang (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-10 07:57
 Haikou is the provincial administrative center, as well as the focus of the local economy, culture and transportation.[Xinhua] Haikou, the provincial capital of Hainan province, is home to beautiful seascapes and historical sites as well as dozens of newly developed tourist attractions. The first recorded human settlement in the city was during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Through the centuries many more have made it their home. Many more of its residents are now using Mandarin instead of the local Haikou dialect in part due to the number of immigrants from the mainland, which have now reached about 320,000, more than one-fifth of the city's population. More immigrants come to Haikou today either to work or start businesses as early immigrants did in their search for a better life. In September 1995, Haikou city won the approval of the World Health Organization and China's Ministry of Health to begin an effort to improve public health. The city is the provincial administrative center, as well as the focus of the local economy, culture and transportation. Haikou enjoys a long coastline featuring excellent beaches and seaside resorts. Its downtown area has an enjoyable environment of streets lined with coconut palms. With its resorts, Haikou is becoming a center for tourism in China, and is increasingly attractive to travelers from around the world.
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