China promotes reform, innovation of national economic development zones

China is promoting reform, innovation and open development of national-level economic and technological development zones, official said on Tuesday in Beijing.

The Ministry of Commerce has released a work plan to deepen reform and innovation of national-level economic and technological development zones for high-quality development through high-standard opening-up.

Noting that building these development zones is an important measure for China to advance reform and opening up, the work plan stresses that these development zones should be pioneers in reform and opening up and further improve the institutions and mechanisms of high-standard opening up.

At a press conference, Ling Ji, vice minister of Commerce and deputy China international trade representative, briefed the media about the background of the work plan.

In 1984, drawing on the successful experience of special economic zones, China set up the first 14 national-level economic and technological development zones in coastal cities.

In 1992, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping visited south China and delivered an important speech that encouraged further expansion of opening up.

As a result, the national-level economic and technological development zones expanded from coastal cities to inland areas, growing from 14 to 54.

Since then, as reform and opening-up have deepened, the planning of such zones has become more comprehensive and refined, with significant improvements in openness, economic strength, and innovation vitality.

"By 2024, there were 232 national economic and technological development zones across all 31 provinces (regions and municipalities), generating a regional GDP of 16.9 trillion yuan (about 2.35 trillion U.S. dollars). These zones hosted 85,000 high-tech enterprises, accounting for 18.3 percent of the national total. They achieved foreign trade imports and exports of 10.7 trillion yuan (about 1.49 trillion U.S. dollars), representing 24.5 percent of the country's total. Additionally, the actual use of foreign capital reached 27.2 billion U.S. dollars , making up 23.4 percent of the national total. These zones made contributions to building a new open economic system, promoting coordinated regional development, and facilitating high-quality industrial growth," said Ling.

Currently, the international economic and trade order is experiencing significant disruptions, with rising protectionism and unilateralism. This has led to greater uncertainty and instability in the external environment for China's development, highlighting the role of national-level economic and technological development zones in stabilizing foreign trade and investment, said Ling.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council have outlined plans to promote reform, innovation, and open development in these zones.

"In October 2024, while marking the 40th anniversary of the first national-level economic and technological development zones, General Secretary Xi Jinping gave important instructions, calling on these zones to promote deep reforms and high-quality development through high-level openness. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee also outlined plans to reform the management system for development zones. The 2025 Government Work Report emphasized the need to improve policies for their open development. The Ministry of Commerce is committed to implementing General Secretary Xi's instructions and the decisions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. In collaboration with relevant departments and local authorities, and based on thorough research and communication, we formulated this work plan, which has been submitted for approval and issuance by the State Council," said Ling.

China promotes reform, innovation of national economic development zones

China promotes reform, innovation of national economic development zones

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media