(French Island), a French island in Victoria, has been acquired by Wufu Group, a Chinese elderly industry conglomerate that intends to turn the island into a tourist destination for Chinese tourists, the Times reported.
It is reported that France is 65 kilometers away from Melbourne, the island has only one prison, originally used to hold lower-security prisoners. Up to now, the island has no water and electricity, and all depends on the islanders to be self-sufficient. There are no tavern and other entertainment facilities on the island, and there is only one department store for shopping. In addition, the island does not have any general legislation, neither local council taxes nor police enforcement. France is the recluse's paradise, and the islanders enjoy the island's isolated life and do not want to see any change.
Recently, islanders worried that hard-won seclusion could be broken by ambitious Chinese tourism developers. Just last year, China's Wufu Group won the French island for A $4 million and plans to turn it into a tourist destination. The old prison, which has 80 cells on the island, was sold together.
Its development plans in France include accommodation, hot springs, museums, business centers and traditional Chinese herb plantations, as well as geriatric care facilities, according to the group's official website. Wufu said it would retain the site of the French island prison and consider rebuilding the island's docks to facilitate visitors.
Burke (Phil Bock), who is in charge of the deal, told reporters that the island's 119 residents were indeed uneasy about what Chinese developers are going to do on the island. However, Wufu Group did not propose any specific development plan, and all construction applications will be examined and approved by the Victorian government. But Burke said the island would not become a Disneyland-like (Disneyland) amusement park, and the last thing the islanders would like to see was that the island would become as crowded and crowded as Philip (Phillip Island).