The Xinjiang Free-Trade Zone (Chinese: 中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区, 新疆自贸试验区) in China, is located in the northwestern border region and spans an area of 179.66 square kilometers. It consists of three zones: Ürümqi (134.6 square kilometers), Kashgar (28.48 square kilometers), and Khorgos (16.58 square kilometers). This zone started its operation on November 1, 2023.[1][2][3]
History
editOn October 21, 2023, State Council of the People's Republic of China released the Comprehensive Plan for the China (Xinjiang) Free Trade Zone.[4] On November 1, 2023, the China (Xinjiang) Free Trade Zone was opened in Ürümqi, marking the commencement of its comprehensive construction phase. On December 5, 2023, the inauguration ceremony for the Khorgos Area of the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone took place at the sixth generation of the State Gates of Khorgos. A total of 26 firms executed contracts worth 20.95 billion yuan, encompassing sectors such as equipment manufacture, new energy, new materials, commerce and logistics, and finance.[5] On June 24, 2024, the inaugural shipment of 10 tons of bonded aviation oil was successfully replenished into Uzbekistan My Freighter Airlines C6655,[6] signifying the introduction of bonded aviation oil in the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone, which has emerged as a landmark initiative of the zone.[7][8]
On August 9, 2024, the inaugural cross-border transfer of 200 million tenge banknotes from the Khorgos Area of the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone was finalized at the China-HKSAR Khorgos International Border Cooperation Center. 2024 On November 15, 2024, Chairman Erkin Tuniyaz chaired the 82nd Executive Meeting of the 14th People's Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, during which the List of Enabling Powers was reviewed and approved, designating the second batch of autonomous region-level economic and social management matters to be delegated to the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone.[9] The second batch comprises 29 articles of authority concerning economic and social management at the autonomous region level.[10]
Distribution
editÜrümqi
editThe Ürümqi Area spans 134.6 square kilometers and is strategically positioned to leverage the advantages of land and air port connectivity. It aims to enhance the construction of a national logistics hub, emphasizing the growth of international trade, modern logistics, advanced manufacturing, the textile and garment sector, biomedicine, new energy, new materials, software, and information technology services, along with other emerging industries.[11]
Kashgar
editKashgar encompasses an area of 28.48 square kilometers, with its functional division leveraging the benefits of international trade logistics channels. It aims to enhance its export-oriented economy by concentrating on the deep processing of agricultural and sideline products, textile and garment manufacturing, and the assembly of electronic products, alongside other labor-intensive industries.[11][12]
Khorgos
editThe Khorgos Area encompasses 16.58 square kilometers and operates through a functional division that leverages the benefits of cross-border collaboration and serves as a national logistics hub at a land border port.[13][14] It prioritizes the advancement of cross-border logistics, tourism, financial services, exhibitions, and other contemporary service sectors, while also aiming to expand and enhance specialized industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronic information, and new materials.[15]
References
edit- ^ "勇立潮头 天高地阔——新疆奋力推进"一带一路"核心区建设-新华网". 新华网_让新闻离你更近 (in Chinese). 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "One year into free-trade zone, Xinjiang embraces further opening up". The State Council of the People's Republic of China. 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "One year into free-trade zone, Xinjiang embraces further opening up". Chinadaily.com.cn. 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ Cash, Joe (2023-10-31). "China to develop Xinjiang free trade zone despite Western sanctions". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ Abdi, Mahnaz (2024-06-29). "Foreign journalists visit Kashgar area of Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone". Tehran Times. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "保税航油落地中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区". 观察者网 (in Chinese). 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "保税航油落地中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区_澎湃财讯_澎湃新闻-The Paper". thepaper.cn (in Chinese). 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "开放高地 创新潮涌——中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区建设一周年观察_广州日报大洋网". 新闻频道_广州日报大洋网 (in Chinese). 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "新疆维吾尔自治区商务厅_《自治区人民政府关于赋予中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区第二批自治区级经济社会管理事项权限的决定》的政策解读". 新疆维吾尔自治区商务厅. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "新疆赋予自贸试验区29项自治区级经济社会管理事项权限-中新网·新疆". 中新网·新疆 (in Chinese). 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ a b "新疆维吾尔自治区商务厅_中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区片区介绍". 新疆维吾尔自治区商务厅. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "【新疆自贸试验区一周年】中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区乌鲁木齐片区建设一周年新闻发布会召开 落地全疆乃至全国诸多"率先""首个"创新试点任务_乌鲁木齐要闻_乌鲁木齐市人民政府". 乌鲁木齐市人民政府 (in Chinese). 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区霍尔果斯片区挂牌". 中国新闻网 (in Chinese). 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "国务院关于印发《中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区总体方案》的通知_对外经贸合作_中国政府网". 中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站 (in Chinese). 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "中国（新疆）自由贸易试验区正式揭牌-新华网". 新华网_让新闻离你更近 (in Chinese). 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-12-10.