Chief editor analyzes
Xinhua _ Over four decades since their inception, China’s national economic development zones have evolved into powerful engines of growth, reform, and foreign investment. These zones have not only positioned themselves as gateways to China’s vast market but have also symbolized the country’s broader commitment to economic openness and high-quality development.
According to Ji Xiaofeng of the Ministry of Commerce, these zones have consistently prioritized openness, earning their place in the “first echelon” of China’s foreign trade and investment strategy. By the end of 2024, a total of 232 national economic development zones had been established, hosting over 60,000 foreign-invested enterprises, a testament to their strategic appeal.
One of the most illustrative cases is the Suzhou Industrial Park, home to global companies like Panasonic, which maintains three subsidiaries there. For the ninth consecutive year, Suzhou topped the national rankings for development level — thanks to its robust industrial chain, favorable policy environment, and efficient support services. Panasonic China’s president, Zhao Bingdi, praised the park’s location and business environment as instrumental to the company’s expansion across China.
These zones don’t merely serve as passive recipients of investment; they actively facilitate reform and innovation. In May, the Ministry of Commerce unveiled a new work plan aimed at further deepening reforms within these zones — a clear signal of China’s intent to enhance high-level opening up amid global economic uncertainty.
As Zhao emphasized, companies like Panasonic are both “witnesses to and beneficiaries of China’s reform and opening up.” Their continued commitment underlines the enduring value these zones offer, not just to investors, but to China’s long-term strategy of sustainable, high-quality economic growth.
