BEIJING — Vice-Premier Han Zheng has underscored comprehensive reform and opening-up in Hainan province, saying it must take on a new look and enter a new development phase.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of a leading group overseeing Hainan’s comprehensive reform and opening-up, made the remarks at a meeting of the group on April 22.

A good start was achieved in the comprehensive reform and opening-up in Hainan last year thanks to joint efforts from relevant departments and the province, Han said, adding preliminary achievements were scored in the construction of pilot free trade zone and tangible progress made in building an international tourism consumption center, Han said.

For the next step, relevant departments and Hainan province should concentrate on key fields and critical points, push forward all kinds of works, lay a solid foundation for development, and continuously boost flows of people, material, commodity and capital, in order to promote the province’s comprehensive reform and opening-up to take on a new look and enter a new development level.

The vice-premier urged Hainan to make fresh progress in the pilot free trade zone construction, and come up with a plan to build a free trade port with Chinese characteristics in the island province.

Han also called for stronger efforts in the development of Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the port of Yangpu and Yangpu economic development zone.

He stressed construction of major infrastructure projects, with airport and seaport being prioritized.

He also urged Hainan to introduce talent with professional and practical skills.