Shanghai pilot to steer growth of free trade zones

Test results to determine fate of other projects, says NDRC official

Ongoing experiments at the pilot free trade zone in Shanghai will determine whether China will extend the FTZ experiment to other regions, a top official of the country's top economic planner said on Tuesday.

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"Many Chinese cities have proposed free trade zones, but whether or not they will get the nod depends on the findings from the Shanghai project. The FTZ in Shanghai is an experiment ... we need to see and assess its test results," said Fan Hengshan, vice-general secretary of the National Development and Reform Commission.

At least 28 local governments have reportedly submitted proposals or plans for similar zones, after the Shanghai FTZ got the central government nod in September.

"Full assessment is needed before establishing new pilots, and it will be done in an orderly fashion," said Fan, in response to questions on whether China has suspended approval for its second free trade zone.

The Shanghai FTZ, with specific initiatives in service trade and financial openness, is one of the most significant steps since the reform and opening up. "It's natural that all regions want to join the race and gain a higher starting point in future development," said Wei Houkai, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"The Shanghai FTZ can only play a limited role in spurring economic development. Personally, I think more FTZs should be considered and built in an orderly way to rebalance the economy in different regions," he said.

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