ABSTRACT
In order to discuss the problems and possibly bring Hainan’s future development into line with the center’s general reform policies, a conference on the so-called Hainan Island Problem was held in Beijing in June-July 1980. The conference was called by the state council and included leading officials from Guangdong Province and Hainan Administrative Region as well as from a number of central ministries and commissions such as the State Agricultural Commission and the Ministries of Agricultural Reclamation, Forestry, Water Resources and Electric Power, Civil Affairs, Finance, and Communication. The PLA General Logistics Department also took part, indicating the importance of the island in military terms. Top leaders such as Zhao Ziyang, Wan Li, Gu Mu and Bo Yibo monitored the conference and issued “important instructions.”1
