The southern province of Hainan embraced a visit from Nov 20 to 25 by the Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs under the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee for the work of ethnic and religious affairs in line with a new pattern of further opening-up.  

The delegation held a symposium to learn about the work of ethnic and religious affairs and the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port, and paid research visits to the Hainan Big Data Center and the Lingshui Modern Agriculture Demonstration Base, along with other venues. 

Wang Weiguang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of the Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs, said at the symposium that this research visit helped the delegation from ethnic and religious circles gain a comprehensive understanding of the modernization achievements and ethnic and religious work in Hainan province, while further enhancing the delegation members' awareness of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. 

The activities will also consolidate common ideological and political foundations, help bring ethnic and religious affairs in line with a new pattern of further opening-up, and better serve overall national development. 

Over the period of over a year Hainan has made progress in laying a solid foundation for the construction of the free trade zone. 

The province is expected to further seize present opportunities, better optimize its business environment, attract and bring in more talent, and maintain its planning strategy. 

Mao Wanchun, chairman of the CPPCC Hainan Provincial Committee, said that splendid work done in ethnic and religious affairs has demonstrated their great significance. The construction of a free trade pilot zone and a free trade port with Chinese characteristics is inseparable from the broad participation and support of all ethnic groups and religious circles, Mao added. 

The CPPCC National Committee has been constantly providing great support to Hainan, and this help has played an irreplaceable role in Hainan's economic and social development. 

The CPPCC Hainan Provincial Committee will thoroughly sort through the comments and suggestions put forward by the delegation, and continue to make contributions to the construction of free trade pilot zones and free trade ports with Chinese characteristics.