Specific tasks include pushing the alignment of rules, giving full play to the roles of free trade pilot zones and free trade ports, enhancing reforms and innovation, and promoting the effective connection of domestic and foreign trade rules.
The area serves as a gateway to the Chinese market for many foreign companies, as well as a bridgehead for Chinese companies looking to expand their presence overseas.
China will support the opening of international passenger and cargo routes at existing ports in the inland areas that meet the stipulated conditions. The country will add import ports for vehicles, pharmaceutical products and other products in inland locations.
Shanghai has been the frontier and barometer of China's reform and opening-up since the country's opening-up policy was launched in 1978.
A total of 393,000 new enterprises were set up in 18 pilot FTZs in 2020, which generated 176.38 billion yuan of foreign direct investment in actual use last year.