For many international observers, China's rapid development is often discussed through macroeconomic indicators, industrial output, or geopolitical narratives. Yet these broad perspectives frequently overlook how national development strategies are implemented at the local level.

许多国际观察人士往往通过宏观经济指标、工业产出或地缘政治叙事来解读中国的快速发展。然而，这些宏大视角常常忽略了国家发展战略是如何在地方层面得到落实的。

During a six-day international delegation tour in Lingshui Li autonomous county, located in China's southern island province of Hainan, I witnessed how high-quality development is expressed on the ground through ecological conservation, cultural preservation, technological innovation, educational openness, and sustainable tourism. 

作为此次国际代表团访问海南陵水黎族自治县的成员之一，在为期六天的活动中，我亲眼见证了高质量发展如何通过生态保护、文化传承、科技创新、教育开放和可持续旅游在基层落地生根。

The tour, organized under the theme "Why China: Walking in Lingshui", was more than an experience exchange program. It was an immersive experience that offered participants from different countries a closer understanding of how China's concept of high-quality development is taking shape in one of its most strategically important regions. As China accelerates the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Lingshui has emerged as a living laboratory where economic development is pursued alongside environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

本次“何以中国·行走陵水”活动不仅是一次经验交流，更是一场沉浸式体验，让来自不同国家的参与者近距离理解中国高质量发展理念如何在中国最具战略意义的地区之一逐步成型。随着中国加快推进海南自由贸易港建设，陵水已成为鲜活的实践范例。在这里，经济发展与环境保护和社会包容齐头并进。

One of the most striking observations throughout the tour was the emphasis placed on balancing development with ecological protection. Whether walking through the lush landscapes of Diaoluoshan National Forest Park, exploring the coastal biodiversity around Boundary Island, or visiting the Tropical Forest Expo Park, it became evident that environmental conservation is treated not merely as a policy slogan but as an integral part of local development planning. Tourism infrastructure has been designed to coexist with nature rather than replace it, reflecting China's broader commitment to ecological civilization.

此次旅途最令人印象深刻的，是中国对发展与生态保护之间平衡的高度重视。无论是漫步于吊罗山国家森林公园郁郁葱葱的山林，探访分界洲岛周边的滨海生物多样性，还是参观热带森林博览园，我们都能明显感受到环境保护在这里不仅是一句政策口号，更是地方发展规划的有机组成部分。旅游基础设施的设计力求与自然共存而非取而代之，这体现了中国在生态文明建设方面的广泛努力。

Equally significant was the effort to preserve cultural diversity while promoting modernization. The Danjia Museum (Hainan Tanka Museum) introduced visitors to the centuries-old traditions of the Danjia (boat dwellers) fishing community, while Qiling Characteristic Village showed how rural vitalization can preserve local identity without sacrificing economic opportunity. Rather than allowing modernization to homogenize local cultures, these initiatives suggest that cultural heritage itself can become an important driver of sustainable development and tourism.

同样令人瞩目的是当地在推动现代化的同时保护文化多样性所做的努力。疍家博物馆展示了海南水上居民数百年的传统，而七岭村则展示了乡村振兴如何在推进经济发展的同时保留地方特色。这些举措避免了现代化进程中的文化同质化现象，表明文化遗产本身可以成为可持续发展和旅游的重要驱动力。

Another remarkable feature of Lingshui is its growing emphasis on innovation and international cooperation. The Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone represents an ambitious experiment in cross-border educational collaboration, attracting international academic institutions and promoting educational openness. In an era when knowledge economies increasingly shape global competitiveness, such initiatives signal China's intent to position Hainan not only as a tourism destination but also as an international education hub.

陵水的另一重点是日益重视创新和国际合作。海南陵水黎安国际教育创新试验区是一项跨境教育合作的重要尝试，吸引了国际学术机构入驻，推动教育开放。在知识经济塑造全球竞争力的时代，此类举措表明中国不仅将海南定位为旅游目的地，更要将其打造为国际教育中心。

Similarly, the Haifeng International Film and Television Base illustrates how digital technologies and creative industries are becoming new engines of regional economic growth. By integrating film production, digital content creation, tourism, and cultural industries, Lingshui is diversifying its economic structure while strengthening its cultural influence.

这里的海风国际影视基地则展示了数字技术和创意产业如何成为区域经济增长的新引擎。通过融合影视制作、数字内容创作、旅游和文化产业，陵水正实现经济结构的多元化，同时增强其文化影响力。

Marine resources also play a central role in the county's development strategy. Visits to Hainan Ocean Paradise and the Shuangfanshi Marine Sports Center revealed how coastal tourism, recreational sports, and marine conservation are being developed in parallel. This integrated approach reflects an understanding that long-term economic prosperity depends on the sustainable use of natural resources rather than their exploitation.

海洋资源在陵水的发展战略中也占据核心地位。海南海洋欢乐世界和双帆石海上运动中心的建设运营证明了滨海旅游、休闲体育和海洋保护正在同步发展。如此的综合施策体现了当地这样一种认识，即对于长期的经济繁荣有赖于自然资源的可持续利用，而非过度开发。

The tour highlighted China's efforts to preserve historical memory. Visiting the Former Site of the Qiongya Soviet Government reminded participants that modernization does not occur in historical isolation. Revolutionary heritage continues to shape local identity while serving as an educational resource for younger generations and international visitors alike.

此次行程中，我们还参观了琼崖苏维埃政府遗址，它凸显了中国在保护历史方面的努力。现代化并非在历史真空中发生。革命遗产仍然塑造着当地的身份认同，同时也成为面向年轻一代和国际游客的重要教育资源。

From a development studies perspective, Lingshui is a clear case of integrated governance. Instead of pursuing growth through a single sector, local authorities coordinate multiple development objectives simultaneously: ecological protection, rural vitalization, tourism, education, technological innovation, cultural preservation, and international openness. This multidimensional approach reflects an evolution in China's development philosophy, moving beyond the traditional emphasis on GDP growth toward a more comprehensive set of indicators of sustainable prosperity.

从发展研究的角度来看，陵水是综合治理的一个鲜明案例。当地并非依赖单一产业推动增长，而是同时协调推进生态保护、乡村振兴、旅游发展、教育开放、科技创新、文化传承和国际合作等多重发展目标。这种多维度的发展模式体现了中国发展理念的演进，即从传统的以GDP增长为核心，转向更加注重可持续繁荣的综合指标体系。

As a Bangladeshi researcher specializing in China studies and international economic cooperation, I found several lessons particularly relevant for developing countries. First, environmental protection need not be viewed as an obstacle to economic development. Properly managed ecological resources can become valuable economic assets through sustainable tourism and green industries. Second, rural vitalization requires investment not only in infrastructure but also in preserving local culture and creating diversified economic opportunities. Third, international education and people-to-people exchanges can become important drivers of regional development and global engagement.

作为专注于中国研究和国际经济合作的孟加拉国学者，我认为其中有几点经验对发展中国家尤其具有借鉴意义。第一，环境保护不应被视为经济发展的障碍。经过科学管理的生态资源，可以通过可持续旅游和绿色产业转化为宝贵的经济资产。第二，乡村振兴不仅需要基础设施的投入，还需要保护地方文化并创造多元化经济机会。第三，国际教育和人文交流能够成为推动区域发展和深化国际参与的重要动力。

Beyond its domestic significance, Hainan's transformation carries important implications for China's international partnerships, particularly with developing countries such as Bangladesh. As bilateral relations continue to expand across trade, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges, the Hainan Free Trade Port is emerging as a new platform for practical cooperation.

除了对国内发展的重要意义之外，海南的转型对中国的国际合作伙伴，特别是像孟加拉国这样的发展中国家，也具有重要启示。随着双方在贸易、投资、旅游、教育、医疗和人文交流等领域合作不断深化，海南自由贸易港正成为开展务实合作的新平台。

During the media tour, I observed that Hainan's increasingly open economic environment could create new opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses seeking access to international markets, students pursuing higher education, tourists exploring new destinations, investors looking for emerging sectors, and healthcare cooperation through the province's growing medical and wellness industries.

在此次媒体考察中，我注意到，海南日益开放的经济环境正为孟加拉国企业开拓国际市场、学生接受更高等教育、游客探索新目的地、投资者寻找新兴产业，以及双方在医疗和康养产业领域开展合作创造新的机遇。

From a Bangladesh perspective, Hainan offers more than a successful regional development story. It presents a potential model for leveraging openness and innovation to achieve sustainable growth. The province's experience shows how strategic policy reforms, institutional innovation, environmental protection, and international engagement can reinforce one another to build a competitive, resilient regional economy. These experiences are particularly relevant for Bangladesh as it seeks to diversify its economy, attract quality investment, strengthen human capital, and promote sustainable development.

从孟加拉国的视角来看，海南不仅仅是一个成功的区域发展案例，更提供了一个通过开放与创新实现可持续增长的潜在范本。海南的实践表明，战略性政策改革、制度创新、环境保护和国际合作可以相互促进，共同构建一个具有竞争力和韧性的区域经济体系。对于正在努力实现经济多元化、吸引高质量投资、提升人力资本和推动可持续发展的孟加拉国而言，这些经验尤具现实意义。

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the tour was the value of direct observation. Much of the international discourse surrounding China is shaped by distant analysis or political interpretation. Field visits such as "Why China: Walking in Lingshui" offer an alternative by allowing international journalists, scholars, and researchers to observe local realities firsthand, engage with communities, and evaluate development outcomes through direct experience rather than preconceived narratives.

此次访问最重要的收获，在于直接观察的价值。国际社会关于中国的许多讨论，往往受到远距离分析或政治解读的影响。而“何以中国·行走陵水”这样的实地考察提供了另一种视角，让国际记者、学者和研究人员能够亲临观察地方实况，与当地民众互动，通过亲身体验而非先入为主的叙事来见证发展成果。

No development model is without challenges, and continued assessment of environmental sustainability, social equity, and long-term governance remains essential. Nevertheless, Lingshui demonstrates that modernization can proceed while natural ecosystems are protected, cultural heritage is preserved, innovation is encouraged, and international cooperation expands. These experiences offer valuable insights not only into Hainan's transformation but also into China's broader pursuit of high-quality development.

任何发展模式都会面临挑战，对生态可持续性、社会公平和长期治理的持续评估始终不可或缺。陵水的实践表明，现代化进程可以在保护自然生态系统、传承文化遗产、鼓励创新和扩大国际合作的同时推进。这些经验不仅为了解海南的转型提供了宝贵经验，也为世界理解中国更广泛的高质量发展打开了窗口。

As Hainan continues its journey toward becoming a globally influential free trade port, counties such as Lingshui may increasingly serve as windows through which the international community can better understand China's evolving development philosophy. For visiting journalists, scholar, and researchers alike, walking through Lingshui was not simply a tour of scenic destinations; it was an opportunity to observe how local governance, sustainability, and openness intersect to shape the future of one of China's most dynamic regions.

随着海南继续朝着建设具有全球影响力的自由贸易港的目标迈进，陵水这样的县市或将日益成为国际社会更好理解中国不断演进的发展理念的窗口。对于到访的记者、学者和研究人员而言，走进陵水不仅是一次风景之旅，更是一个观察地方治理、可持续性和开放如何交汇融合并共同塑造中国最具活力地区之一未来的契机。

来源：公众号Hainan International Services