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 Although
it is not known exactly how long people have lived in the area, it
is generally believed that the first inhabitants arrived between 6,000
and 10,000 years ago. Recorded history begins in the early Han Dynasty
about 100 BC when Haikou and its surrounding district became part
of Daimao County of Zhuya Prefecture. Haikou City was opened as an
open trading port in the late Qing Dynastyand continued to benefit
from its role as the island's commercial center andgateway with steady
long-term growth. Haikou was proclaimed a city in 1926 and a capital
city in 1988 when Hainan was established as a province. Haikou experienced
accelerated growth when Hainan was proclaimed China's largest Special
Economic Zone in 1988. |
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