China mulling Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei FTZ   

京津冀自贸区规划或近期出台 曹妃甸或是主战场

(ECNS) -- A plan to establish a free trade zone (FTZ) covering Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province is expected to be released shortly, according to the China Securities Journal.

The zone would speed up the integration and collaborative development of the three regions, and spread the capital's economic function further into Hebei.

Establishing FTZs is on Tianjin's and Hebei's agendas, with two implementation plans under consideration. The first plan would merge Tianjin FTZ into the new FTZ and center on Beijing and Tianjin, while also including all of Hebei. Another plan would approve two independent FTZs in Tianjin and Hebei.

Experts say Hebei's Jingtang Port and Caofeidian will probably be at the forefront of the new FTZ. The two locations are to be built into distribution centers for bulk import and export goods such as iron ore, oil, natural gas, coal, grain and timber.

Jingtang Port and Caofeidian would enjoy preferential government policies, including the presence of some wealthy state-owned enterprises and phase two of the construction of the Capital Steel Group. A specific policy package is to be issued in two months.