Q: National-level economic and technological development zones constitute one of China’s important platforms for opening up. MOFCOM conducts annual comprehensive performance evaluations of these zones. Could you share with us the results of...
Published: August 8, 2026
Sources & Verification
Primary Source
Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) — Official document ↗
CPG Analysis
AI-assisted summary of the official source linked above, pending human review.
Verification
AI-assisted summary · generated Sep 8, 2026 · pending human review
This summary was generated by AI from the linked official source. It has not been reviewed line-by-line by a human editor.
⚠ This is a policy signal, not a confirmed rule.
No immediate compliance change has been identified. Monitor for official implementation documents.
⚡ Impact at a Glance
Who is affected
Manufacturing, high-tech industries, foreign trade, foreign investment, and industrial zone development
Cities / Agencies
Nationwide · Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM)
What to do now
Monitor only — no action required
Source & verification
MOFCOM · AI-assisted summary · generated Sep 8, 2026 · pending human review
What to watch next
MOFCOM: upcoming revised evaluation indicator system for national development zones; MOFCOM: dynamic management measures and zone reform guidance; MOFCOM/NDRC: cross-regional cooperation and paired-assistance program policies
Executive Summary
MOFCOM released the 2025 annual performance evaluation results for China's national-level economic and technological development zones. The results show that in 2024 these zones accounted for roughly one-quarter of China's total imports/exports and utilized foreign investment, solidifying their role as key platforms for opening up. MOFCOM will refine the evaluation system and dynamic management mechanisms to further promote high-quality development of these zones.
Key Points
In 2024, national economic development zones generated RMB 10.6 trillion in total imports and exports and utilized USD 26.84 billion of foreign investment, each representing nearly a quarter of the national total.
The zones hosted more than 110,000 foreign trade enterprises and over 70,000 foreign-invested enterprises, and their foreign investment quality is improving, with hubs in cities like Suzhou, Guangzhou, and Hefei attracting regional MNC headquarters.
By the end of 2024, the zones housed 708 national-level incubators and makerspaces, 19,000 R&D institutions at the provincial level or above, and 80,000 high-tech enterprises.
Jiangsu Province's 27 national economic development zones had 585 advanced-level smart factories, accounting for one-third of the province's total, highlighting strong cluster and innovation effects.
Cooperative development projects between eastern and central/western zones, as well as paired-assistance programs supporting Xinjiang, Xizang, and border cooperation zones, increased by 99 projects in 2024 compared with the prior year.
Over 90% of national economic development zones now adopt a 'management committee + company' model, and institutional innovation continues, such as Tianjin's integrated innovation plan coordinating five state-level zones with the Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone, implementing 58 innovative measures.
Related Tools
Related Guides
📝 Update History
August 15, 2026
Policy content updated; see official source for details.