HAIKOU — Vice-Premier Han Zheng called for pushing forward the construction of a free trade port in South China's Hainan province on Nov 9.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the leading group on deepening all-around reform and opening-up in Hainan, made the remarks at a meeting regarding the free trade port construction.

He stressed that the free trade port should be built in line with the world's highest level of opening up.

Greater autonomy in reform should be given to Hainan to break the institutional constraints and barriers, Han said.

He pointed out that the policy and institutional system designs of Hainan's free trade port should highlight the focus of trade and investment freedom.

Noting the unique ecological advantages in the island province, Han added that Hainan's development should be led by tourism, modern services and high-tech industries, to shore up the foundation of real economy as well as strengthen industrial competence.

Measures should be taken to facilitate cross-border flow of investment and people, he said, adding that special taxation policies should be set up to cater to the high-level free trade port.

The vice-premier also called for transferring government functions and greatly simplifying approval systems to raise work efficiency in the construction of the free trade port.