HAIKOU, China, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Located in southern China, Hainan Island provided a grand stage for more than 100 international cyclists as the five-day Tour of Hainan concluded on Saturday, but athletes have already expressed a desire to return.

Aaron Gate of Burgos-BH won both the yellow jersey, symbolizing the champion, and the green jersey for the best sprinter, thanks to his stellar performances across the five stages.

This was the first time the New Zealand rider had competed in Hainan, but the event, now in its 15th edition, left a strong impression on him.

"I hope I can come back here. It's a really nice race, and it would be great to return to defend the title," Gate said.

After finishing second in the second stage, Gate told Xinhua that he was very fond of Hainan's scenery.

"It's a very beautiful place, with a lot of nice beaches and a pleasant climate, so it would be a great place to come for a holiday," Gate said, also praising the recent changes in China's and Hainan's visa policies.

"China recently introduced a 15-day visa-free policy for New Zealand passports, making it very convenient for us to come here. This policy has attracted more tourists to China."

Astana Qazaqstan Team rider Ivan Smirnov won the fifth stage on Saturday, ahead of Tarteletto-Isorex's Timothy Dupont and Bardiani-CSF-Faizane's Mattia Pinazzi. Smirnov also expressed his desire to come back.

"I'm very happy to be part of the race. It's a very high-level competition with a high-level organization. Hainan has many beautiful cities, and Sanya, where we are now, is one of them," he said. "I'm not sure about future plans, but I would love to stay here again."

Previously, Hainan Free Trade Port had introduced a 30-day visa-free policy for 59 countries and regions. An upcoming policy, set to take effect soon, will further relax entry requirements for sports-related events, helping to attract athletes from around the world.

In addition to cycling races, international sports events have flourished in Hainan in recent years.

Hainan has developed three major events at its core: the Tour of Hainan, the Round Hainan Regatta, and the Hainan Open golf tournament. These sports events have become a window to the world, showcasing the charm of Hainan and the openness of the Free Trade Port.

Earlier this year, the Blue Bay LPGA tournament in Lingshui, Hainan, attracted international golf stars like Lydia Ko, Lilia Vu, and Lee Min-jee. For tourists and sports fans, the tropical island's natural advantages make it an ideal place for windsurfing, surfing, and skydiving.

Xie Fei, a member of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, believes that building the Free Trade Port is a "hard project," with sports events serving as an essential "soft power."

"International sports events will be an excellent showcase for promoting the Free Trade Port and telling its story to the world," Xie stated. Enditem

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