The Party chief of Sanya, an seaside resort city in south China's Hainan Province, has made a public apology after thousands of netizens vented their anger regarding overcharging by hotels and restaurants during the recent Spring Festival holidays, exerting overwhelming pressure on local and provincial authorities.

Jiang Sixian said at a press conference on Wednesday that local authorities would toughen regulations to build Sanya into a high-end resort, according to China Central Television.

"We will carry out a zero tolerance policy towards overcharging," Jiang said.