President Xi Jinping has called for building the country's pilot free trade zones (FTZs) toward new heights of reform and opening-up in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on the development of pilot FTZs.

The development of pilot FTZs is a strategic measure by the CPC Central Committee in advancing reform and opening-up in the new era and has become a milestone in the course, Xi said.

Five years of enterprising and pioneering work in the country's pilot FTZs has seen major progress and breakthroughs, offering the nation copious advances in institutional explorations, Xi said.

Xi also urged more efforts in advancing the development of pilot FTZs to generate more replicable institutional innovation, to make greater contributions in achieving China's two centenary goals and national rejuvenation.

Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said in an instruction that greater efforts were needed to advance the reform, opening-up and innovation of pilot FTZs with a new development philosophy under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

It is necessary to focus on solving deep-rooted contradiction and structural problems, intensify overall planning of reform and continue to highlight institutional innovation, so as to accelerate the formation of new development and competitive advantages, Li stressed.

The premier also said it's important for pilot FTZs to accumulate more experiences that could be copied and spread on a larger scale, even nationwide, and to continue their pioneering roles in reform and opening-up.

At a symposium held in Shanghai Wednesday, Vice Premier Han Zheng also highlighted the achievements of pilot FTZs over the past five years and urged the zones to take more bold and active action in reform and opening-up.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, stressed transformation of government functions, decoupling of business licenses and operation permits, furthering reforms in negative lists, advancing trade oversight innovation and stepping up integrated reforms.

Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, and Li Qiang, secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, also attended the symposium.

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