(Photo: Sohu.com)

Organizations or individuals must now file their non-resident island development applications to the provincial marine administrative department, according to a circular released by Hainan’s Ocean and Fisheries Department on Wednesday. 

Applicants seeking to develop non-resident islands for entertainment, port-of-call and other industry-related purposes will need to submit their detailed plans along with a feasibility report, according to information found on the department’s official website. 

According to the new regulations, maximum time allotted for the development and usage of non-resident islands include 15 years for fishery services, 25 years for tourism and entertainment purposes, 30 years for salt mining, 40 years for welfare projects, and 50 years for maritime-related development on port-of-call destinations and shipyards.

Image of Hainan's Ocean and Fisheries Department website homepage on July 4, 2018.

The measure stipulates that non-resident  developers establish eco-monitoring stattions  to prevent island damage while safeguarding the surrounding watter region from waste, gas, and radioactive materials. The development plans should adhere to all relevant laws, regulations, and technical standards to help determine island area, usage, and layout, along with anticipated construction and development timeframes.

The measure further stipulates that the application procedures for the development and utilization of non-resident islands should be completed within 12 months from the date of promulgation and implementation, and those that refuse to apply shall be investigated according to law.

(Compiled by Dong Feng, Lance Crayon, and Ryan Yaoran Yu.)