The resort town of Sanya on Hainan Island is expected to become a model of environmental development in the province by 2030. According to the plan published in Sanya Daily, local authorities will coordinate efforts to improve the appearance of the city and the surrounding bays. Along with Haikou and Danzhou, Sanya will receive the status of a pilot territory for implementing environmental standards and improving the efficiency of using its resource base.
The plan includes modernizing the marine economy and the fishing industry, and strengthening biosafety, from controlling dangerous microorganisms to regulating the import of animals and plants for breeding laboratories. The authorities expect that these measures will strengthen Sanya's reputation as a resort with a high level of services, clean beaches and developed yachting tourism.
Sanya is a leading Chinese resort with a population of over 1.1 million people. In 2025, the city's GRP exceeded 103 billion yuan ($15 billion), and the flow of foreign tourists increased by 41.4%, reaching 1 million people. With an average annual temperature of 25.4 °C and a 260 km coastline with 19 bays and 40 islands, the city remains one of the main centers of beach, cruise and family holidays in China.
