BEIJING, July 4 (TNF): China will extend 77 pilot reforms from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to other FTZs and nationwide. The move aims to support high-level institutional opening and align with global trade standards. The State Council announced the decision in a circular released on Thursday.
The measures cover seven main areas. These include services trade, goods trade, digital trade, intellectual property protection, government procurement reform, behind-the-border management reform, and risk prevention.
Of these, 34 measures will apply to other FTZs. These include new digital-yuan use cases, improved cross-border fund management for multinationals, and a negative list for data exports.
The other 43 measures will roll out nationwide. They cover cross-border e-payment services, commercial encryption certification, data security certification, government data transparency, and digital government procurement platforms.
This reform effort builds on a 2023 plan that made the Shanghai FTZ a national model for opening up. The plan aims to help China align with top international trade and economic rules. The circular noted that after over a year of trials, Shanghai had created key institutional innovations and best practices.
Authorities across the country must apply the reforms according to local needs. They should give priority to measures that businesses and the public need most. The goal is to spread the benefits of these reforms widely.
The circular stressed that these steps will help China deepen reform and promote high-quality growth through stronger institutional opening.
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