Published on: 2026-04-09
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Beijing, April 9 /Xin Hua/ — China has increased the number of pilot free trade zones /FTZ/ to 23 after the creation of the China pilot free trade zone in Inner Mongolia, the master plan of which was announced on Thursday by the State Council of the PRC.
The general plan grants the ZST in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region / Northern China / greater autonomy during reforms, encourages innovation and original, comprehensive, and differentiated explorations in a wider area and at a deeper level.
The document clearly defines innovation and reform measures along 19 directions, including innovative development of cross-border trade, improvement of international logistics services, enhancement of the effectiveness of practical application of scientific and technological achievements, and expansion of international exchanges in various fields.
It is indicated that the creation of the FTA in Inner Mongolia is a significant decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of the PRC, as well as an important strategic measure for the further comprehensive deepening of reforms, the promotion of high-level openness to the outside world, and the facilitation of high-quality development.
The General Plan of the CST provides for the formation of centers for information exchange, transport and logistics, resource and production factor distribution, scientific-technical innovation in key areas, and industrial cooperation centers, which will link internal and external markets and have a stimulating effect on the adjacent regions.
The document envisages fully involving the role of an important foothold of openness in the northern direction and making efforts to create a high-level free trade zone, characterized by the convenience of trade and investment activities, a healthy innovation ecosystem, clustering of competitive industries, and active international exchanges.
The pilot Free Trade Zone occupies an area of 119.74 sq. km and includes three sections: in Hohhot /the administrative center of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region/, in the northern border city of Manzhouli, and in the city of Erenhot on the China-Mongolia border. The sections are endowed with differentiated functions and will develop industries taking into account local conditions.
Previously, China created 22 pilot free trade zones in regions such as the provinces of Guangdong, Liaoning, Hainan, and Shandong, and the centrally administered cities of Beijing and Shanghai. The most recent addition to the list of pilot free trade zones was the Chinese /Xinjiang/ pilot free trade zone, established in 2023.
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