The State Council has approved a national territorial spatial plan for Haikou, the capital city of South China’s Hainan province, for the 2021-2035 period, according to an official reply released on Nov 29.

According to the reply, by 2035, the total area of cultivated land in Haikou should be no less than 640,300 mu, of which the protection area for permanent basic farmland will be no less than 536,700 mu and the red line area for ecological protection should not be less than 182.87 square kilometers.

Haikou should deepen cooperation with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, actively integrate into the Beibu Gulf urban cluster, and lead the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

The circular stressed efforts to improve the ability for the conservation of water resources in the Nandu River basin, and protect ecological resources such as wetlands, mangroves, volcanic geology and physiognomy. The spatial layout of efficient agriculture with tropical characteristics is also asked to be optimized.

Measures should be taken to strengthen the functions of Haikou as an international aviation hub and accelerate the integrated development of ports and shipping services in the Qiongzhou Strait.

In addition, Haikou should protect historic urban areas and neighborhoods and shape the distinctive landscape features of Haikou as a tropical coastal city.