Hengqin balances environment and leisure-tourism

Regulations to further promote leisure and tourism while protecting the environment will take effect in Hengqin New Area on June 1.

Hengqin Island, the largest in Zhuhai and thrice the size of Macao, is a growing international leisure and tourism destination. The new regulations provide support in terms of land use, ocean exploitation, financial talent cultivation, and border entry and exit convenience.

Key and immense projects will have to plan for protective development of mountains without violating any laws and regulations. Projects involving sea reclamation must be in strict accordance with the Administrative Measures for Regional Plans of Sea Use for Construction of the central government.

Hengqin leisure and tourism industry highlighted [File Photo]

In addition, social capital is to help build and improve a financing system for the leisure and tourism industry. Related government departments are also required to hasten examination and approval procedures for key and giant leisure and tourism projects.

The Hengqin Administrative Committee will set up a dedicated fund to cultivate, support, and encourage such projects. The funds will be used to construct support facilities and improve services.

The catalyst, Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort, opened in 2014, attracting several 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) plus other leisure and tourism, and cultural and creative projects to settle in Hengqin.