China anticipates 2nd batch of free trade zones  

第二批自贸区或框定 粤闽津三地各有秉赋

福建省商务厅副厅长钟木达19日在《福建日报》撰文称，国家领导人在北京APEC会议上发布在广东、天津、福建三省(市)扩大自贸园区试点的决定，福建将全力以赴做好促批工作，争取设立自贸区园区早日获国务院批准。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – China is mulling a second batch of free trade zones (FTZs) in Fujian province, Tianjin city and Guangdong province, according to a Fujian official.

Zhong Muda, deputy director of the Fujian Department of Commerce, wrote in the Fujian Daily that central government leaders decided to set up three new FTZs during the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Beijing.

An unnamed source told Shanghai Securities News that the new FTZs may differ from the Shanghai FTZ in terms of function.

"They'll be a huge boost to local economies, just like the Shanghai FTZ, but wouldn't serve as pilot zones for reforms," the person said, adding that the new FTZs are likely to be more open than the one in Shanghai.

Located in east Fujian province, Pingtan is the mainland's closest spot to Taiwan. Setting up an FTZ in Pingtan would help boost exchanges with Taiwan and other countries along the Maritime Silk Road.

Tianjin city, which is adjacent to Beijing, will focus on strengthening its status as China's financial leasing center.

Its Dongjiang Bonded Port has attracted 638 rental companies of all kinds, becoming a cluster for aircraft, ship and big machinery leasing. Over 95 percent of the country's aircraft rentals take place in Tianjin.

Guangdong, which is close to Hong Kong and Macao, would deepen investment, trade and cooperation with the service industries of the two cities. Innovations in the finance industry would also be a highlight.