Since establishing the first China Free Trade Zone in Shanghai in 2013, Chinese authorities have moved swiftly and established a further 10 zones, with even more planned.
Although the Shanghai Free Trade Zone is now fairly well known among foreign companies, awareness of the other Chinese FTZs is still relatively low.
This article gives an overview of the 11 China Free Trade Zones currently in operation and outlines where they are located with maps.
Map of China Free Trade Zones
Introducing the 11 China Free Trade Zones
Each of the China Free Trade Zones are named after the province or municipality they are located in, and the majority are comprised of 3 different areas.
With much fanfare, China's first FTZ was established in the 1st tier city of Shanghai in 2013, three more were added in 2015, and a further seven in 2017.
Whilst the first four China free trade zones were centered around coastal areas with sea ports, six of the seven most recent zones are located inland, indicating a push to develop the economy of China's interior.
The 11 FTZs have each been given a "focus" by the State Council, which we have summarized and translated below.
We have listed the FTZ's in alphabetical order with numbering consistent with the map above.
1. Chongqing Free Trade Zone
Official Chinese Name: 中国（重庆）自由贸易试验区
Official English Name: China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Established: 2017
Total Area: 120 km²
Chongqing Free Trade Zone Focus
An important hub to connect "One Belt, One Road", "Western Development" and the "Yangtze River Economic Belt"
Open for high-end manufacturing and tariff-free services
Chongqing Free Trade Zone Map
Chongqing Free Trade Zone Areas
The Chongqing Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Left: Xiyong Area
Chinese Name: 西永片区
Area: 23 km²
Middle: Liangjiang Area
Chinese Name: 两江片区
Area: 66 km²
Right: Guoyuangang Area
Chinese Name: 果园港片区
Area: 31 km²
2. Fujian Free Trade Zone
Official Chinese Name: 中国（福建）自由贸易试验区
Official English Name: China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Develop foreign trade in bulk commodities, especially oils
Develop relevant marine industries
Zhejiang Free Trade Zone Map
Zhejiang Free Trade Zone Areas
The Zhejiang Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Top (5 areas highlighted in red): Zhoushan Offshore Area
Chinese Name: 舟山离岛片区
Area: 79 km²
Middle: Zhoushan North Area
Chinese Name: 舟山岛北部片区
Area: 16 km²
Bottom: Zhoushan South Area
Chinese Name: 舟山岛南部片区
Area: 25 km²
Future China Free Trade Zones
It was announced in April 2018 that the whole island of Hainan, which is a massive 33,920 km² and is already one of China's special economic zones, will be transformed into a free trade zone.
Subsequent to this, plans to set up a further 6 free trade zones, in Yunnan, Guangxi, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces, were announced in August 2019.
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Matt Slater
Author
Hi there, I'm Matt, the Founder & CEO of China Checkup. Originally from the UK, I am now based in Brisbane, Australia.
Frustrated by the scarcity of concise, high-quality and timely information about Chinese companies, I setup China Checkup whilst living in Shanghai in 2013.
My team are proud that China Checkup's company verification reports have now helped thousands of clients from all corners of the world to do business in China more safely.