Since the late 1970s, especially since the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th
CPC Central Committee, China has been in a new stage. The basic state policy focused on
the formulation and implementation of overall reform and opening to the outside world.
During 1980s, China passed several stages, ranging from the establishment of special
economic zones and open coastal cities and areas, and designating open inland and coastal
economic and technology development zones. The establishment of such zones has laid a
solid foundation for the country's efforts to deepen the reform in the 1990s.
Since 1980, China has established special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai
and Shantou in Guangdong Province, Xiamen in Fujian Province, and in the entire province
of Hainan* so as to better carry out reform and opening up and stimulate economic
development. In 1984 China open 14 coastal cities to overseas investment -- Dalian,
Qinhuangdao, Tianjin, Yantai, Qingdao, Lianyungang, Nantong, Shanghai,Ningbo, Wenzhou,
Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang and Beihai. Since 1988, China's opening to the outside world
has been extended to its border areas, areas along the Yangtze River and inland areas.
First, the state decided to turn Hainan Island into China's biggest special economic zone
and to enlarge the other four special economic zones. Shortly afterwards, the State
Council decided to expand
the open coastal areas, extending into an open coastal belt the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze
River Delta, Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Triangle, Shandong Peninsula, Liaodong Peninsula
(in Liaoning Province), Hebei and Guangxi open coastal economic zones.
In June 1990 the Chinese government decided to open the Pudong New Area in
Shanghai to overseas investment, and opened a number of additional cities along the
Yangtze River valley, with Shanghai's Pudong New Area as its "dragon head."
Between March and July of 1992, the State Council decided to open 13 more border cities,
counties and towns, and opened all the capital cities of inland provinces and autonomous
regions. In addition, 13 bonded zones were established in major coastal port cities, and
20 economic and technological development zones were established in open coastal
areas.Today, China has formed a multi-level, multi-channel and all-directional pattern of
opening integrating coastal areas, border and inland areas.
Note *: Hainan Island became China's 30th province and meanwhile, the fifth and the
largest special economic zone, approved by the 1st session of the 7th NPC in 1988. |
