Zhang Zhaomin, a delegate from Fujian province at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and secretary of the Party working committee of Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area, makes a speech during the open discussion of Fujian delegation.

Pingtan is on track to become an international tourism destination through environmental protection, according to Zhang Zhaomin, a delegate from Fujian province at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and secretary of the Party working committee of Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area.

Zhang made the remarks during an open discussion of the Fujian delegation to the congress.

Zhang began referencing President Xi Jinping's warning that Pingtan needs to protect its environment and establish an international tourism island in the future, which he made during a visit to the island on Nov 1, 2014.

The central Party committee has made significant strategic measures, issued major policies and solved many pending problems in the past five years, according to President Xi's report to the 19th National Congress.

Similar to China as a whole, Pingtan has also experienced profound changes in the past five years, Zhang said.

Pingtan's economy has seen rapid development. Its total financial revenue increased almost twofold with an average annual growth rate of 31.6 percent, which is expected to exceed 5 billion yuan ($755 million) this year.

Its fixed-asset investment doubled with an average annual growth rate of 15.4 percent, which is set to reach about 45 billion yuan this year.

Pilot reforms in Pingtan have achieved breakthroughs, launching 126 innovative measures in the past five years and a comprehensive experimental platform preliminarily constructed.

Two types of standards from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan in economy, culture and social management were implemented in Pingtan to promote economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and social integration between the two islands. Pingtan has attracted over 800 Taiwan enterprises and numerous Taiwan young men and women to start business on the island.

Pingtan's environment has also been improved. Many trees have been planted in the past five years, outnumbering those planted in the past two decades.

The island now has developed into a frontier of China's opening-up to the outside world. More and more entrepreneurs are coming to Pingtan to start their businesses, and graduate and doctoral students are also staying in Pingtan.