Pilot Free Trade Zones

Free trade zones (FTZs) are areas designated within the customs territory of a sovereign country or a region where customs regulations do not apply, where trade and investment policies more preferable than WTO rules apply, and where foreign goods can be shipped in and out free of tariffs. FTZs are actually duty-free zones. In the narrow sense, an FTZ is like an export processing area, where raw materials for processing export-oriented goods can be utilized free from import tariffs. In the broader sense, an FTZ can be a free port or an entrepot trade zone.

Building pilot FTZs is a strategic measure by the central authorities to further reform and opening up in the new era. The report to the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017 announced to grant more powers to the pilot FTZs to conduct reform, and to explore the opening of free trade ports. In November 2018, the State Council issued a document on new measures supporting the pilot FTZs to further innovation and reform.

From September 2013 to November 2020, a total of 21 pilot FTZs were established across China, creating a new opening up configuration on all fronts. China's bold experiments in liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment, enhancing financial services to the real economy, and transforming the functions of the government have all yielded notable results, making a major contribution to world trade liberalization under the new conditions.

自由貿易試驗區

自由貿易試驗區，是指在貿易和投資等方面比世貿組織有關規定更加優惠的貿易安排，在主權國家或地區的關境以內，畫出特定的區域，準許外國商品豁免關稅自由進出，實質上是采取自由港政策的關稅隔離區。自由貿易試驗區，狹義僅指提供區內加工出口所需原料等貨物的進口豁免關稅的地區，類似出口加工區；廣義還包括自由港和轉口貿易區。

建設自由貿易試驗區是中共中央、國務院在新形勢下全面深化改革和擴大開放的戰略舉措。2017年10月，中共十九大報告提出，賦予自由貿易試驗區更大改革自主權，探索建設自由貿易港。2018年11月，國務院印發《關于支持自由貿易試驗區深化改革創新若干措施的通知》。自2013年9月至2020年11月，中國已經分多批次批準了21個自由貿易試驗區，初步形成了東西南北中協調、陸海統籌的開放態勢，推動形成全面開放新格局。中國在投資貿易自由化便利化、金融服務實體經濟、政府職能轉變等領域進行了大膽探索，取得了顯著成效，為新形勢下推動世界貿易自由化作出重大貢獻。