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.
自由贸易试验区
自由贸易试验区，是指在贸易和投资等方面比世贸组织有关规定更加优惠的贸易安排，在主权国家或地区的关境以内，画出特定的区域，准许外国商品豁免关税自由进出，实质上是采取自由港政策的关税隔离区。自由贸易试验区，狭义仅指提供区内加工出口所需原料等货物的进口豁免关税的地区，类似出口加工区；广义还包括自由港和转口贸易区。
建设自由贸易试验区是中共中央、国务院在新形势下全面深化改革和扩大开放的战略举措。2017年10月，中共十九大报告提出，赋予自由贸易试验区更大改革自主权，探索建设自由贸易港。2018年11月，国务院印发《关于支持自由贸易试验区深化改革创新若干措施的通知》。自2013年9月至2020年11月，中国已经分多批次批准了21个自由贸易试验区，初步形成了东西南北中协调、陆海统筹的开放态势，推动形成全面开放新格局。中国在投资贸易自由化便利化、金融服务实体经济、政府职能转变等领域进行了大胆探索，取得了显著成效，为新形势下推动世界贸易自由化作出重大贡献。
