Chinese vice premier calls for innovative mechanisms in FTZ development

GUANGZHOU - Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng called for institutional innovations in the development of pilot free trade zones (FTZ).

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a three-day inspection tour in southern province of Guangdong, which ended Tuesday.

The Guangdong pilot FTZ should treat institutional innovation as a core task, and strive to establish mechanisms that are replicable, Han said after visiting the Guangdong FTZ.

Han also stressed high-quality planning of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for it to become a world-class bay area and city cluster.

Industrial layout in the area should be optimized to promote the real economy, high-tech industries, and modern service industries, Han said.

Environmental protection in the area should also be strengthened with a focus on water pollution treatment, he said.

Black and odorous water should be completely eliminated in Shenzhen by 2019 and basically cleared up in other Guangdong cities at or above prefecture level by 2020, he said.