Hainan was named Zhuya, Qiongzhou and Qiongya at various ancient times. In Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Hanwu (110 B.C.) started to set the Zhuya and Dan'er prefectures on the island. The administration was changed hereafter. In the end of Tang Dynasty, the Qiongzhoufu was establishes and commanded Qiong, Ya, Dan, Zhen, and Wanan, 5 states 22 counties. From Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty, Qiongzhoufu was under the administration of Guangdong.
In the Republic of China era, Hainan was still dominated by Guangdong Province. In April 1949 the Hainan special administrative region senior official government office was established, for vice-provincial level government. After May 1st, 1950, Hainan administration government office was created, still subordinated to Guangdong Province. In April 1988 Hainan provincial people's government was established with Haikou as its capital. The Hainan special economic zone was established at the same time.
