evidence: But Hainan, China’s southernmost province, is also a strategically important island. And just like Hawaii, it is also home to key military bases. [...] Out of sight of the holiday makers and business travelers, the southern edge of Hainan is a major base of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, home to part of its South Sea Fleet. [...] Hainan’s economy is among the smallest of all Chinese regions and provinces, with its GDP ranking only above far-flung Ningxia, Qinghai and Tibet. Agriculture contributes the most to its economy.