Ministry of Commerce: 16 Measures to Support National-Level Economic and Technological Development Zones

Recently, the website of the Ministry of Commerce released the “Work Plan for Deepening Reform and Innovation in National-Level Economic and Technological Development Zones to Lead High-Quality Development through High-Level Opening-Up.” The plan proposes:

Leverage the role of funds such as central budgetary investments to support the construction of information infrastructure projects in national-level economic and technological development zones that meet the relevant criteria.

Localities are permitted to pool and effectively utilize funds such as special local government bonds to support the construction of qualified national-level economic development zones and industrial projects.

Support eligible entities developing and constructing national-level economic and technological development zones to expand their financing channels through methods such as going public for fundraising.

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Work Plan for Deepening Reform and Innovation in National-Level Economic and Technological Development Zones to Lead High-Quality Development through High-Level Opening-Up

The establishment of national-level economic and technological development zones (hereinafter referred to as national-level ETDZs) is an important initiative undertaken by China to advance reform and opening-up. To implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council and to promote high-quality development of national-level ETDZs, with the approval of the State Council, the following work plan is hereby formulated.

I. General Requirements

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party as well as the decisions of the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee. We will fully, accurately, and comprehensively embrace the new development philosophy, closely focus on advancing Chinese-style modernization, continuously unleash innovative vitality and endogenous momentum, and actively participate in building a new development paradigm. By pursuing high-level opening-up, we will promote deeper reform and high-quality development. We will courageously take the lead in reform and opening-up, further refine the institutional mechanisms for high-level opening-up, and actively engage in high-quality joint construction. The “Belt and Road” initiative will expand international cooperation, promote the upgrading of industries toward high-end, green, and digital transformation, develop new forms of productive forces tailored to local conditions, and strive to create a new chapter in the development of national-level economic and technological development zones.

II. Develop new-quality productivity tailored to local conditions.  

(1) Enhance the capacity for generating innovation. Support the establishment of major industrial and technological innovation platforms in qualified national-level economic and technological development zones, and encourage relevant entities within these zones to undertake national and local science and technology programs. Encourage leading technology enterprises in national-level economic and technological development zones to join forces with universities, research institutions, and other organizations to form innovation consortia, strengthen coordination and collaboration with national university science parks, and jointly promote technological innovation and commercialization. Support the construction of concept validation platforms, pilot-scale verification platforms, industrial metrology and testing centers, national quality inspection centers, and quality infrastructure within national-level economic and technological development zones. “One-stop” service platforms and incubators for technology-based enterprises—these are industrial innovation and service platforms. National-level economic and technological development zones are permitted to directly apply for designation as provincial-level science and technology innovation platforms. Support will be provided for qualified national-level economic and technological development zones to establish offshore innovation bases, exploring pathways such as overseas R&D and domestic technology transfer. National-level economic and technological development zones are encouraged to create demonstration parks for building a strong intellectual property nation, strengthening intellectual property cooperation and alignment both within and outside the zone, intensifying the implementation of trademark and brand strategies, and actively exploring new models of collaborative intellectual property utilization, such as patent pools.

(2) Strengthen the foundation for high-quality development of the manufacturing sector. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in participating in the National Industrial Foundation Reconstruction Project, the Major Technical Equipment Breakthrough Project, the Major Technological Transformation and Upgrading of Manufacturing, and the Large-Scale Equipment Renewal Project. Encourage national-level economic and technological development zones to leverage digital and intelligent technologies as well as green technologies to upgrade and transform traditional industries. Support these zones in establishing incubators and pilot zones for future industries, strengthening the metrology systems and capacity-building for future industries, and proactively planning for the development of these industries. Encourage national-level economic and technological development zones to develop service-oriented manufacturing and guide the productive service sector toward specialization and upward extension along the value chain.

(3) Promote the deep integration of the digital economy with the real economy. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in participating in the digital transformation of manufacturing and smart manufacturing initiatives, and in building a number of high-standard digital parks, benchmark enterprises for digital transformation, and intelligent factories. Support these zones in attracting and fostering industrial internet platforms and smart manufacturing system solution providers that demonstrate industry leadership, systematically promoting the digital transformation and upgrading of manufacturing enterprises through structured, visualized, and standardized approaches, and in nurturing and expanding the data industry. In accordance with the nation’s overall strategic layout, provide regionally tailored support for the computing power infrastructure of national-level economic and technological development zones. The construction of next-generation mobile communication networks, such as 5G. Actively support national-level economic development zones within the western hub node’s initial development area to undertake key projects under the “East Data, West Computing” initiative. Leverage the role of central budgetary investments and other funding sources to support the construction of information infrastructure projects in qualified national-level economic development zones.

(4) Build a secure and resilient industrial and supply chain. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in intensifying efforts to attract and nurture leading technology enterprises, key enterprises in industrial and supply chains, unicorn enterprises, high-tech enterprises, specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises, as well as manufacturing single-champion enterprises, thereby strengthening their capabilities. “Chain-leading” enterprises. Support national-level economic development zones in participating in initiatives aimed at high-quality development of key manufacturing industry chains and coordinated enhancement of industry and supply chain quality. Encourage collaborative cooperation among national-level economic development zones along industry and supply chains.

(5) Promote industrial undertaking cooperation and gradient transfer in an orderly manner. Support the joint establishment of industrial parks between national-level economic and technological development zones in eastern regions and those in central, western, and northeastern regions as well as border (cross-border) economic cooperation zones, thereby promoting shared benefits between the sending and receiving areas. Support national-level economic and technological development zones and border (cross-border) economic cooperation zones in central, western, and northeastern regions to take on the gradual transfer of processing trade. Promote closer cross-border industrial cooperation between national-level economic and technological development zones and border (cross-border) economic cooperation zones in border regions and neighboring countries.

III. Enhancing the Level of an Open Economy

(6) Enhance the quality of foreign investment utilization. Foreign-invested projects in national-level economic and technological development zones—particularly those in the fields of integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals, and high-end equipment manufacturing—are to be given priority consideration for inclusion in the list of major and key foreign-invested projects. Local people's governments are encouraged to step up their support for landmark foreign-invested projects in national-level economic and technological development zones, thereby accelerating their implementation and construction. All types of capital, including foreign-invested funds, are encouraged to flow into emerging industries within these zones, fostering and incubating small and medium-sized enterprises. National-level economic and technological development zones are guided to effectively implement tax preferential policies, such as deferred taxation for reinvestment of distributed profits by overseas investors.  

(7) Help build “Invest in China” brand. Give priority support to national-level economic development zones to participate. The “Invest in China” brand initiative leverages platforms such as the China International Fair for Investment and Trade to strengthen connections between national-level economic development zones and globally renowned investors and financial capital. We will make full use of existing facilitation policies to support groups from national-level economic development zones in going abroad to attract investment, and encourage qualified national-level economic development zones to set up overseas offices for investment promotion. We will also support national-level economic development zones in building specialized, end-to-end investment promotion teams that are adept at attracting investment, capable of effective investment promotion, and skilled at securing deals—thus forging new models for investment attraction. National-level economic development zones should formulate preferential investment policies in strict accordance with laws and regulations.

(8) Promote diversified and innovative development of foreign trade. Encourage national-level economic development zones to collaborate with the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation to support cross-border e-commerce in empowering industrial development. Support national-level economic development zones in expanding their digital services exports and building themselves into hubs for digital trade. Support national-level economic development zones in establishing integrated industrial clusters that promote the convergence of domestic and foreign trade. Support the establishment, in eligible national-level economic development zones, of commodity trading centers, global distribution and sorting centers, and international logistics hub centers. Support eligible national-level economic development zones and enterprises within these zones in deploying overseas distribution facilities.

(9) Strengthen the functions of the open platform. Strengthen the institutional openness of national-level economic and technological development zones, granting them greater autonomy to pioneer and experiment with reform and opening-up initiatives. Enhance synergistic development between national-level economic and technological development zones and platforms such as free trade pilot zones, thereby promoting the quality upgrade of export-oriented economies. Systematically replicate and promote the institutional innovations developed through the exploration and pilot programs in free trade pilot zones and comprehensive pilot programs for expanding service-sector openness. Encourage national-level economic and technological development zones to actively participate in high-quality joint construction efforts. The Eight Initiatives of the Belt and Road. Support qualified national-level economic development zones in establishing international cooperation parks, strengthen industrial alignment with overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, and deepen exploration of cooperation models such as “Two Countries, Two Parks.” Encourage national-level economic development zones to enhance external cooperation in areas including green development, the digital economy, and the marine economy under the framework of multilateral and bilateral initiatives and agreements. Support national-level economic development zones in strengthening cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in aspects such as park development and investment promotion.

IV. Deepen reforms of the management system

(10) Optimize the institutional mechanisms. Promote various regions to timely formulate and revise regulations and rules governing the management of development zones. Each national-level economic and technological development zone should, based on local conditions, implement management systems that meet the development needs of the new era. Reasonably define and optimize the trusteeship and administrative delegation relationships between national-level economic and technological development zones and administrative divisions. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in establishing and improving performance evaluation and incentive mechanisms that are practical and tailored to their specific circumstances within the framework of national policies. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in exploring the implementation of classified staffing management and coordinated personnel utilization, by... Shifting from “identity management” to “position management.” Supporting talent mobility between national-level economic and technological development zones and administrative and public institutions in accordance with regulations. Strengthening the dynamic management of national-level economic and technological development zones and continuously improving their quality levels.

(11) Enhance management effectiveness. Optimize the operational model of national-level economic development zones, enhance public service capabilities and the level of market-oriented operations, and promote the relative separation between the administrative management entities and the development and construction entities of these zones. Provincial and municipal authorities should delegate as much as possible their approval powers related to economic management to the management agencies of national-level economic development zones, exercising such powers either through legal authorization or delegation, and clearly defining the scope of authority and responsibilities through the establishment of a list of powers and responsibilities. Local people's governments must strengthen supervision and management over key positions, critical areas, and crucial aspects such as development and construction, as well as production safety within national-level economic development zones.

(12) Build a highland for the business environment. National-level economic and technological development zones should foster a clean and close relationship between government and business, and continuously build a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, rule-of-law-based, and internationally competitive. Sound and robust The “Efficiently Getting One Thing Done” key task list focuses on providing one-stop platform services such as “immediate processing, online processing, and single-visit processing,” thereby addressing the prominent bottlenecks and sticking points reported by enterprises. We will support national-level economic development zones in promoting intra-provincial and inter-provincial integration of government service matters, and explore initiatives to enable businesses to automatically enjoy enterprise-benefiting policies without having to apply explicitly. We will also guide national-level economic development zones and local government departments to deepen inclusive and prudent regulation, promote smart regulatory approaches, optimize credit-based regulation, and actively advance reforms such as “integrated one-stop regulation” and “comprehensive one-time inspections.”

V. Strengthen factor guarantees

(13) Enhance the efficiency of land resource utilization. Support provincial-level people's governments in separately allocating annual planning targets for national-level economic and technological development zones, giving priority to ensuring adequate land use for leading industries—especially major projects in advanced manufacturing. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in clearly defining... The industrial model of “industrial buildings going vertical” promotes the three-dimensional development of industrial project construction land in a standardized and guided manner. Provided that such development complies with land spatial planning and use-control requirements, it is permitted to rationally convert industrial land (excluding Class III industrial land), logistics and warehousing land (excluding Class III logistics and warehousing land), and R&D and design land within national-level economic development zones. Moreover, the supply of mixed-use industrial land may be moderately increased. National-level economic development zones are encouraged to explore new types of industrial land (M0) that integrate advanced functions such as R&D, creativity, design, pilot-scale testing, and pollution-free production, along with related supporting services. Local people's governments shall fulfill their local responsibilities, improve end-to-end regulatory oversight, and proactively accept guidance from relevant authorities, strictly preventing real estate projects—such as residential and commercial-office buildings—from being developed under the guise of new industrial land (M0) or other similar designations in an attempt to skirt regulations. In principle, industrial land in national-level economic development zones should be supplied on a “standardized plot” basis.

(14) Support green and low-carbon development. Encourage national-level economic development zones to implement market-based trading of distributed power generation, actively participate in green certificate and green electricity trading, and enhance the level of green electricity consumption. Support the improvement of corporate carbon emission statistics and accounting systems as well as product carbon footprint management systems, and explore ways to encourage enterprises to use green certificates in carbon emission accounting and carbon footprint management. Encourage national-level economic development zones to launch pilot programs for synergistic innovation in pollution reduction and carbon reduction, and establish pilot parks aimed at peaking carbon emissions. Encourage national-level economic development zones to enrich the supply of green financial services, vigorously develop green, low-carbon, and circular industries, and actively create green industrial parks and demonstration zones for ecological civilization (ecological industrial parks). Promote environmental impact assessments for the planning of national-level economic development zones in accordance with the law, and support qualified national-level economic development zones to carry out pilot programs for deepening reforms in environmental impact assessment.

(15) Intensify efforts to attract talent and expertise. Support national-level economic and technological development zones in attracting high-level management and professional technical talent from around the world, and provide services and guarantees in areas such as household registration and housing. Support national-level economic and technological development zones with a concentration of foreign talent to plan and develop supporting facilities for daily life, including schools and hospitals. Support national-level economic and technological development zones and enterprises within these zones to carry out pilot programs on industry-education integration. The “dual-system” education model, among other approaches, collaborates with universities and research institutions to jointly cultivate industrial skills talent.

(16) Strengthen fiscal and financial support. Localities are permitted to make coordinated and effective use of funds, including special local government bonds, to support the construction of qualified national-level economic development zones and industrial projects. Qualified developers of national-level economic development zones are encouraged to expand their financing channels through methods such as IPOs. Based on the actual contributions of technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises to innovation, targeted and enhanced financial support will be provided.

All regions and relevant departments must firmly assume their principal responsibilities, formulate supporting and complementary measures, and carefully organize and implement them. We must uphold and strengthen the Party’s overall leadership, ensuring that Party leadership is integrated into every stage and aspect of the construction and development of national-level economic and technological development zones. We must continue to reinforce efforts to build a clean and honest government, providing strong political and organizational guarantees for high-quality development of these zones. Where it is necessary to temporarily adjust certain provisions of relevant administrative regulations, State Council documents, and departmental rules approved by the State Council, such adjustments shall be made in accordance with prescribed procedures. Relevant departments of the State Council shall, based on this work plan, make corresponding adjustments to the rules and normative documents they have formulated. The Ministry of Commerce, together with other relevant departments, shall strengthen guidance and coordination, organize supervision and evaluation efforts, and ensure that all measures outlined in this work plan are effectively implemented. Any major issues should be promptly reported and submitted for instructions.