Haikou Meilan Airport in Haikou, capital of the tropical island province of Hainan in south China, has been approved by the Chinese government as an international airport open to foreign-owned airplanes.

The airport, which can accommodate large planes such as the Boeing 747-400, has been renamed Haikou Meilan International Airport.

The airport is upgrading its infrastructure facilities, including terminals and lighting systems, in accordance with international standards, said an airport spokesman

But it is not known when it will be ready to handle foreign airplanes.

The airport was opened in May 1999 and now operates about 220 domestic and overseas routes. It handled 5.5 million passengers in 2002.

According to an assessment commissioned by the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Public Security and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the telecommunications system, ground safety and service facilities are up to international standards.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2003)