As the reform and opening up go further in depth, the SEZ has new connotations-with advantages of "specially" favorable policies, the SEZ is expected to be "specially capable" in reform, opening up and innovations. In this sense, whether Hainan will play an important role in the national economy in the future lies in breakthroughs and innovations we are to make in tackling difficulties in our work.

Therefore, Hainan must be more open and creative in emancipating the mind, and more determined and courageous in promoting reform and opening up in the future. At present, I think Hainan can take the best advantages of the Asian dialogue platform-the Boao Forum for Asia-to promote ecological civilization construction, equalization of basic public services, comprehensive reforms to turn Hainan into an international tourist hot spot, and the construction of the Yangpu Bonded Harbor Area. I always believe that it's excellent performance that counts and wins you a seat at the feast of China's economic growth. Hainan should be reform- and opening up-oriented, and make itself distinguished by achievements in SEZ development in order to continue to be the pioneer of China's reform and opening up.

Hainan has gained wide media coverage recently and many a leader of the Central Government has visited Hainan. Does this imply new development opportunities for Hainan?

Hainan has captured a lot of media attention with quite a number of important events and good news since 2007. The local people have felt heartened at an outpouring of good news. These include: Hainan is going to build a satellite launch center for China's manned spaceflight program in Wenchang, and the State Council has authorized the Yangpu Bonded Harbor Area in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone. Furthermore, Hainan has been authorized to turn the island into a world-class tourist hot spot, and an Olympic village is going to be built in Sanya.

On the eve of Hainan's 20th anniversary, President Hu Jintao attended several events during his visit in April. He delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia's annual conference, encouraged Hainan to speed up the construction of systems and mechanisms that are vigorous, efficient, open and conducive to the scientific development of the province, and give full play to the role of Hainan as the pioneer of China's reform and opening up. All these have injected strong impetus into the future development of Hainan and offer ample room for Hainan to further its reform and opening-up efforts. Hainan is entering a historical phase in terms of emancipating the mind, expanding the opening up, and speeding up development.

You said, "I will deserve no respect from the Hainan people if I fail to devote myself to the interests of the people." How do you evaluate your work in the past year as governor of Hainan Province?

I felt not only honor but also responsibility when the province's 8.4 million people elected me governor of Hainan Province. The provincial government shares the belief that it's the duty of the government to benefit the vast population of Hainan with the fruits of reform and opening up. We have invested hugely in education, public health, medical service and social security to improve people's livelihoods in recent years. Also, we have become a pioneer in many reforms such as exempting students from tuition fees in the nine-year compulsory education system, narrowing the income gap between rural and urban teachers, and introducing the new rural cooperative medicare system. We have adhered to the principle of injecting a majority of increased fiscal revenue into improving the livelihood of the people since 2007. The measures include developing vocational education and offering education to the children of migrant workers, expanding the coverage and increasing the allowance standard of the new rural cooperative medicare system, and promoting basic medical insurance for urban residents. People's livelihoods are our top priority, and we will adhere to the principle of governing for the people and consistently making life better for our people.