By LAWRENCE TAN

With China gearing up for the World Expo in Shanghai – its biggest event after the 2008 Olympics – many provinces and second-tier cities in China are scrambling to spruce up, shape up and repackage themselves for their second global showcase.

One such province is Hainan Island, where its most lucrative proposition, Sanya (already hailed as the Hawaii of the East) is being dolled up to become a billionaire’s playground and the Chinese version of Monaco and the French Riviera.

Fittingly then, the city will play host next April (from 2nd – 4th) to the first-ever luxury lifestyle event – Hainan Rendez-Vous, jointly organized by China Rendez-Vous Ltd and local property developer Visun Group, with partners Luxury-Insider.com and InLuxe.cn.

The three-day event will showcase one of Asia’s largest collection of private jets, luxury yachts, real estate, and of course, the finest in luxury living.

As we speak, a few megayachts are well on their way to the Visun International Yacht Club (Hainan’s first marina shaped to international standards) in Sanya to toast the city’s new cruising center en-route to the World Expo.

Hainan Rendez-Vous is poised to be the grandest luxury showcase in Asia, and we will keep you updated on the latest developments.

Hainan Rendez-Vous