Xi expects FTZs to drive reform to new heights

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping has called for building the country’s pilot free trade zones toward new heights of reform and openingup in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, 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. The president 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 said greater efforts were needed to advance the reform, openingup 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 opening-up.

At a symposium in Shanghai yesterday, Vice Premier Han Zheng urged the zones to take more bold and active action in reform and opening-up. He 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.