To build itself into a top international tourism destination, China's southernmost Hainan Province is expected to undertake massive infrastructure construction. Together with large numbers of tourists pouring onto the island, it adds to the fear of ecological degradation.

In response, the local government has pledged to observe the strictest environmental standards during the course of the island's development.

Wu Jia has more.

 Chi Fulin, a Hainan-based researcher, says about 20 years ago, extensive damage to the coral reefs was found in the vicinity of Sanya in the south of the island. This damage proved to be the result of the popular practice of fishing with explosives and the collection of corals for lime.

This served as an environmental alarm for the government. With relevant local regulations enacted and revised, Chi Fulin says the coral reefs have been preserved and are gradually recovering.

While the large inflow of tourists will definitely put pressure on the environment, the researcher says selling green tourism will help promote the island on the one hand and preserve its ecosystem on the other.

"It doesn't mean that we will abandon development. Instead, we will pursue a sustained development with the strictest environmental protection measures."

Luo Baoming, Governor of Hainan, agrees. He says a local cement plant with an annual output value of more than 100 million yuan, or 15 million U.S. dollars, was demolished in 2007 because of the heavy pollution it created.

"In recent years, we have eliminated some obsolete capacity and small rubber, cement and steel plants that were heavily polluting. We have shut down more than 80 of such plants. Now small cement plants cannot survive in Hainan."

The governor adds that all the planned and ongoing projects must undergo a strict assessment.

"All the state projects, including the around-island railway linking Haikou and Sanya, the Tongling Reservoir and Bo'ao Airport, must go through environmental impact assessments by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Besides the ministry's assessment, local projects must also pass an evaluation by experts."

Luo Baoming says 28 sewage plants and 21 garbage disposal plants are being built on the island.

Li Xiaolin, Chairwoman of China Power International Holding Limited, has chosen Hainan to build its first low-carbon town.

"I think Hainan is a treasure island, an ecological island. So I believe it should develop in an environmentally-friendly manner."

Meanwhile, the central government's plan also stipulates that tourism will be promoted on the inhabited Xisha Islands at a proper time. The local government says it will be prudent in launching trips to the islands, and that details are still under consideration.It also says if boat cruises to the islands are started, the number of tourists will definitely be restricted to preserve the unspoiled beauty of the area.

Wu Jia, CRI news.