Editor's note:

Although China’s southernmost province of Hainan is also the country’s youngest, the past decade has seen a continuous deepening of the process of reform and opening up. As the province has been growing into its role as a Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics, it has become a microcosm of China's development story and the indelible proof that the country is "opening ever wider the door to the outside world." As the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully concluded, Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) continues to bring you the Ten Years on in Hainan: An Expat Perspective video series. Presenting China's development achievements and the construction process of the Hainan Free Trade Port with "fresh eyes", this series features several long-term foreign residents of Hainan sharing what they see, think, and feel concerning both Hainan and greater China. Although the guests on this program hail from different countries and work in different industries, one thing they have in common is they have spent years witnessing Hainan change and grow. What special ties do they have with China and Hainan? What do they make of China's development achievements and future plans? What are their views on the blueprint for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port? Starting on September 28, the Ten Years on in Hainan: An Expat Perspective program will share with you these expats’ unique stories and perspectives.

Dr. Stephens and his family enjoy time at the beach in Hainan.

Tim Stephens is a multilingual American doctor who once considered going to Africa or Latin America to serve with Doctors Without Borders. As soon as he arrived in China and got the chance to interact with the people here, he began to form close ties with them. “At that time, I decided to move to China to be a doctor and help train China’s front line personal care physicians.” Dr. Stephens traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and many other parts of China before finally deciding on Hainan due to the clean air, beautiful natural environment, and the kind people who welcomed him to the island with open arms. In 2013, Dr. Stephens gave up the chance to earn a high salary in the US and came to China to become a GP (General Practitioner) at the International Primary Care Clinic of the Haikou People’s Hospital, where he received the warm welcome and recommendation of the Clinic’s former Director Zhou Zhonghua. 

Dr. Stephens gives a training seminar.

Over the nearly ten years since, Dr. Stephens and his hospital have trained over 200 primary care physicians. These front line medical workers are now stationed in small communities in Danzhou, Baisha, Ledong, Lingshui, and many other parts of Hainan, where they bring new energy and expertise to the work there. During his time in the province, Dr. Stephens has seen the level of medical care in Hainan continue to improve, as well as the rapid development of the healthcare industry. 

Dr. Stephens with his colleagues at the Haikou People’s Hospital.

“I hope that Hainan will become a place where young people can follow their dreams,” says Dr. Stephens. He looks forward to Hainan becoming a model and new high ground for China’s opening up to the outside world, a focal point for domestic and international economic trade, and a place where people can not only live healthy lives but also pursue their dreams and ambitions.