BEIJING: For many international observers, China’s rapid development is often discussed through macroeco-nomic indicators, industrial output, or geopolitical narratives. Yet these broad perspectives frequently overlook how national development strategies are implemented at the local level.
During a six-day international delegation tour in Lingshui Li autonomous county, located in China’s southern island province of Hainan, I witnessed how high-quality development is expressed on the ground through ecological conservation, cultural preservation, technological innovation, educational openness, and sustainable tourism.
The tour, organized under the theme “Why China: Walking in Lingshui”, was more than an experience exchange program. It was an immersive experience that offered participants from different countries a closer understanding of how China’s concept of high-quality development is taking shape in one of its most strategically important regions. As China accelerates the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Lingshui has emerged as a living laboratory where economic development is pursued alongside environmental sustainability and social inclusion.
One of the most striking observations throughout the tour was the emphasis placed on balancing de-velopment with ecological protection. Whether walking through the lush landscapes of Diaoluoshan National Forest Park, exploring the coastal biodiversity around Boundary Island, or visiting the Tropical Forest Expo Park, it became evident that environmental conservation is treated not merely as a policy slogan but as an integral part of local development planning.
Tourism infrastructure has been designed to coexist with nature rather than replace it, reflecting Chi-na’s broader commitment to ecological civilization.
Equally significant was the effort to preserve cultural diversity while promoting modernization. The Danjia Museum introduced visitors to the centuries-old traditions of the Danjia fishing community, while Qiling Characteristic Village showed how rural revitalization can preserve local identity without sacrificing economic opportunity.
Rather than allowing modernization to homogenize local cultures, these initiatives suggest that cultural heritage itself can become an important driver of sustainable development and tourism.
Another remarkable feature of Lingshui is its growing emphasis on innovation and international coop-eration. The Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone represents an ambitious experiment in cross-border educational collaboration, attracting international academic institutions and promoting educational openness.
In an era when knowledge economies increasingly shape global competitiveness, such initiatives signal China’s intent to position Hainan not only as a tourism destination but also as an international educa-tion hub.
Similarly, the Haifeng International Film and Television Base illustrates how digital technologies and creative industries are becoming new engines of regional economic growth.
By integrating film production, digital content creation, tourism, and cultural industries, Lingshui is di-versifying its economic structure while strengthening its cultural influence.
Marine resources also play a central role in the county’s development strategy. Visits to Hainan Ocean Paradise and the Shuang Fanshi Marine Sports Center revealed how coastal tourism, recreational sports, and marine conservation are being developed in parallel.
This integrated approach reflects an understanding that long-term economic prosperity depends on the sustainable use of natural resources rather than their exploitation.
The tour highlighted China’s efforts to preserve historical memory. Visiting the Former Site of the Qiongya Soviet Government reminded participants that modernization does not occur in historical iso-lation. Revolutionary heritage continues to shape local identity while serving as an educational re-source for younger generations and international visitors alike.
From a development studies perspective, Lingshui is a clear case of integrated governance. Instead of pursuing growth through a single sector, local authorities coordinate multiple development objectives simultaneously: ecological protection, rural revitalization, tourism, education, technological innovation, cultural preservation, and international openness.
This multidimensional approach reflects an evolution in China’s development philosophy, moving be-yond the traditional emphasis on GDP growth toward a more comprehensive set of indicators of sus-tainable prosperity.
As a Bangladeshi researcher specializing in China studies and international economic cooperation, I found several lessons particularly relevant for developing countries.
First, environmental protection need not be viewed as an obstacle to economic development. Proper-ly managed ecological resources can become valuable economic assets through sustainable tourism and green industries.
Second, rural revitalization requires investment not only in infrastructure but also in preserving local culture and creating diversified economic opportunities.
Third, international education and people-to-people exchanges can become important drivers of re-gional development and global engagement.
Beyond its domestic significance, Hainan’s transformation carries important implications for China’s international partnerships, particularly with developing countries such as Bangladesh.
As bilateral relations continue to expand across trade, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges, the Hainan Free Trade Port is emerging as a new platform for practical cooperation.
During the media tour, I observed that Hainan’s increasingly open economic environment could create new opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses seeking access to international markets, students pur-suing higher education, tourists exploring new destinations, investors looking for emerging sectors, and healthcare cooperation through the province’s growing medical and wellness industries.
From a Bangladesh perspective, Hainan offers more than a successful regional development story. It presents a potential model for leveraging openness and innovation to achieve sustainable growth.
The province’s experience shows how strategic policy reforms, institutional innovation, environmental protection, and international engagement can reinforce one another to build a competitive, resilient regional economy.
These experiences are particularly relevant for Bangladesh as it seeks to diversify its economy, attract quality investment, strengthen human capital, and promote sustainable development.
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the tour was the value of direct observation. Much of the international discourse surrounding China is shaped by distant analysis or political interpretation.
Field visits such as “Why China: Walking in Lingshui” offer an alternative by allowing international jour-nalists, scholars, and researchers to observe local realities firsthand, engage with communities, and evaluate development outcomes through direct experience rather than preconceived narratives.
No development model is without challenges, and continued assessment of environmental sustaina-bility, social equity, and long-term governance remains essential. Nevertheless, Lingshui demonstrates that modernization can proceed while natural ecosystems are protected, cultural heritage is pre-served, innovation is encouraged, and international cooperation expands.
These experiences offer valuable insights not only into Hainan’s transformation but also into China’s broader pursuit of high-quality development.
As Hainan continues its journey toward becoming a globally influential free trade port, counties such as Lingshui may increasingly serve as windows through which the international community can better un-derstand China’s evolving development philosophy.
For visiting journalists, scholar, and researchers alike, walking through Lingshui was not simply a tour of scenic destinations; it was an opportunity to observe how local governance, sustainability, and open-ness intersect to shape the future of one of China’s most dynamic regions.
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, PhD, is a senior lecturer and researcher in the School of Overseas Educa-tion (School of Foreign Languages) at Sanming University in China’s Fujian province, and a senior re-search fellow at the Daffodil International University Belt and Road Research Centre in Bangladesh. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
