The Ministry of Commerce will expand the reform task authorization for the three pilot free trade zones (FTZ) in Tianjin Municipality, Guangdong and Fujian provinces, and assign them new pilot reform tasks.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their establishment, the ministry held a special press conference on the achievements of the three pilot FTZs in Beijing on Friday.
In the past decade, the import and export volume of the Guangdong FTZ grew from 110 billion yuan in 2015 to 740 billion yuan in 2024, at an average annual growth rate of 24 percent. The Fujian FTZ has seen 138,000 new enterprises registered in the ten years, 8.8 times the number when the zone was launched. The Tianjin FTZ has recorded an average actual use of foreign investment of 2 billion U.S. dollars annually.
And the three FTZs have accumulated over 140 replicable institutional innovation achievements, promoting innovation and development in multiple industries.
Building on these successes, the Ministry of Commerce vowed to prioritize connections with high-standard international economic and trade rules and promote institutional opening-up experiments in FTZs. The ministry also pledged to accelerate the implementation of pilot opening up projects in key sectors, including telecommunication, health care, education, and cultural industry, while better implementing the new negative list for foreign investment and rolling out new policies and measures to promote the development of new business forms and models, including cross-border e-commerce and bonded maintenance.
"We will strengthen guidance for pilot free trade zones, expand the reform task authorization for the three pilot free trade zones in Tianjin Municipality, Guangdong and Fujian provinces, and assign them new pilot reform tasks. We will support eligible pilot free trade zones to carry out integrated innovation throughout the entire industry chain in key sectors such as biomedicine, equipment manufacturing and marine economy. We will also strengthen policy empowerment for the pilot free trade zones in the central and western regions and border areas, and support them to better play a demonstrative and leading role in serving major national strategies and firmly responding to external risks and challenges," said Meng Huating, director of the free trade zone and free trade port department under the Ministry of Commerce at the press conference.
In the next step, the ministry will support the FTZs in key economic regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta region, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to strengthen coordination and strategic alignment of their respective pillar industries.
China to expand reform in FTZs
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
