The new Hainan University is a comprehensive key university in Hainan Province established by the merger of South China University of Tropical Agriculture and Hainan University on August 14, 2007, approved by the Ministry of Education. It is jointly established by the Hainan Provincial People's Government, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance. In December 2008, it was approved by the state to become a key construction university under the "211 Project".