Emancipate mind, strive for innovation, work hard together to accelerate the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port: Xi

Xi called on local scientists and staff to keep the motherland in mind and serve the people wholeheartedly as the older generation of agricultural scientists did and make painstaking efforts with perseverance to achieve even more in agricultural science and technology.

Then, Xi went to Sanya Oceanographic Institute under Ocean University of China to learn about the research and application of oceanographic instruments and information services system.

When talking via video link with the frontline staff working for the Deep Sea No.1 gas field and hearing about their work, Xi extended sincere greetings to them and asked them to watch out and take care of themselves.

Xi stressed that building China into a strong maritime country is a major strategic task for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Efforts must be made to strive for high-level independence and self-reliance in marine science and technology, and to make breakthroughs in original and leading technologies, he said.

Xi underlined the importance of using equipment manufactured on our own to exploit gas and oil resources and to increase energy self-sufficiency so as to guarantee the national energy security.

On his way of inspection, Xi got off the vehicle to take a look at how the environmental protection work is conducted along the coast. He also fertilized and watered a tree he had planted 12 years ago. Xi called on local officials to coordinate land and marine development and take ecological protection as an important task.

An offshore duty-free program has been piloted in Hainan as of April 20, 2011. On Monday morning, Xi arrived at the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex to learn about how the offshore duty-free policy was implemented. Xi pointed out that the fundamental role of consumption in driving economic growth should be better leveraged, a favorable market environment and a sound legal environment should be created based on the country's huge market. Retailers should attract consumers by doing business in good faith and providing quality services, so as to make greater contributions to building a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, he added.