China anticipates 2nd batch of free trade zones  

第二批自貿區或框定 粵閩津三地各有秉賦

福建省商務廳副廳長鐘木達19日在《福建日報》撰文稱，國家領導人在北京APEC會議上發布在廣東、天津、福建三省(市)擴大自貿園區試點的決定，福建將全力以赴做好促批工作，爭取設立自貿區園區早日獲國務院批準。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – China is mulling a second batch of free trade zones (FTZs) in Fujian province, Tianjin city and Guangdong province, according to a Fujian official.

Zhong Muda, deputy director of the Fujian Department of Commerce, wrote in the Fujian Daily that central government leaders decided to set up three new FTZs during the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Beijing.

An unnamed source told Shanghai Securities News that the new FTZs may differ from the Shanghai FTZ in terms of function.

"They'll be a huge boost to local economies, just like the Shanghai FTZ, but wouldn't serve as pilot zones for reforms," the person said, adding that the new FTZs are likely to be more open than the one in Shanghai.

Located in east Fujian province, Pingtan is the mainland's closest spot to Taiwan. Setting up an FTZ in Pingtan would help boost exchanges with Taiwan and other countries along the Maritime Silk Road.

Tianjin city, which is adjacent to Beijing, will focus on strengthening its status as China's financial leasing center.

Its Dongjiang Bonded Port has attracted 638 rental companies of all kinds, becoming a cluster for aircraft, ship and big machinery leasing. Over 95 percent of the country's aircraft rentals take place in Tianjin.

Guangdong, which is close to Hong Kong and Macao, would deepen investment, trade and cooperation with the service industries of the two cities. Innovations in the finance industry would also be a highlight.