Hainan needs to think about more than just horses

IN APRIL, the central authorities announced a plan to turn Hainan province into the world's largest free trade zone. The province is also being encouraged to develop a sports lottery, alongside beach and water sports, and horse racing. Not surprisingly, an equestrian fervor has followed. Beijing News comments:

A pig farm applied to the local government to start a horse racing project just three days after the central authorities' announcement.

Although the Hainan government said it is still drafting a plan to develop horse racing sports, partially to cool down the investment in related industries, the island has seen more than 30 horse racing enterprises and at least 10 horse-culture towns or parks founded since April.