Hainan to build seed industry center

Hainan plans to build a transfer base for introducing animal and plant germplasm, or living genetic resources used for breeding purposes.

The base will serve as an iconic project in the construction of a China (Hainan) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics, and also create a benchmark for similar facilities across the world, said Shen Xiaoming, governor of Hainan province, on Wednesday.

The governor said that it was one of Hainan's pilot projects aimed at the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up.

Shen Xiaoming calls for innovative thinking and in-depth exploration as the project is brand-new and without other models in the world to learn from and emulate.

Hainan will build an international trade center for the seed industry as a first step in fulfilling the goal, and it will strengthen customs inspection and quarantine work and provide further convenience to attract more seed enterprises from leading brands to set up regional headquarters on the island.

Hainan will also promote relevant facility construction and innovation in management and trade systems and mechanisms, and develop the base in line with advanced international standards, according to the governor.

The project welcomes both government input and social investments.

"Hainan will develop the business chain from introducing germplasm resources to a future stage of the import and export of living animals and plants, while providing inspection and quarantine services for domestic and overseas enterprises," Shen said.

"Construction of the transfer base will be coordinated with the construction of the science and technology town for South China Seed Breeding."

A special research work team composed of professional institutions and expertise will be built to promote the development of the project.