HAIKOU — Vice-Premier Han Zheng has called for efforts to strengthen environmental protection and innovation capabilities to promote high-quality economic development in South China's Hainan province.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his research tour in South China's Hainan province from Nov 9 to 11.

As the only tropical province in China, Hainan enjoys rich and unique natural resources, and should properly balance the relationship between developing the tourism industry and protecting the environment, Han said.

The natural landscape should be well protected, construction land in tourism areas should be strictly controlled and forest fires should be prevented, he noted.

Visiting the Wuzhishan Mountain nature reserve, Han said the province should reinforce the protection and systematic restoration of tropical rainforests and explore experiences for the country's building of an ecological civilization.

Measures should be taken to develop green industries and improve farmers' income, he said while visiting a tea garden.

At a science and technology area in Sanya, Han said that Hainan should build a platform for the sharing of scientific innovations and let market entities play a leading role in the commercialization of research achievements.