Since establishing the first China Free Trade Zone in Shanghai in 2013, Chinese authorities have moved swiftly and established a further 10 zones, with even more planned.
Although the Shanghai Free Trade Zone is now fairly well known among foreign companies, awareness of the other Chinese FTZs is still relatively low.
This article gives an overview of the 11 China Free Trade Zones currently in operation and outlines where they are located with maps.
Map of China Free Trade Zones
Introducing the 11 China Free Trade Zones
Each of the China Free Trade Zones are named after the province or municipality they are located in, and the majority are comprised of 3 different areas.
With much fanfare, China's first FTZ was established in the 1st tier city of Shanghai in 2013, three more were added in 2015, and a further seven in 2017.
Whilst the first four China free trade zones were centered around coastal areas with sea ports, six of the seven most recent zones are located inland, indicating a push to develop the economy of China's interior.
The 11 FTZs have each been given a "focus" by the State Council, which we have summarized and translated below.
We have listed the FTZ's in alphabetical order with numbering consistent with the map above.
1. Chongqing Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（重庆）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
Chongqing Free Trade Zone Focus
- An important hub to connect "One Belt, One Road", "Western Development" and the "Yangtze River Economic Belt"
- Open for high-end manufacturing and tariff-free services
Chongqing Free Trade Zone Map
Chongqing Free Trade Zone Areas
The Chongqing Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Left: Xiyong Area
- Chinese Name: 西永片区
- Area: 23 km²
Middle: Liangjiang Area
- Chinese Name: 两江片区
- Area: 66 km²
Right: Guoyuangang Area
- Chinese Name: 果园港片区
- Area: 31 km²
2. Fujian Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（福建）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2015
- Total Area: 118 km²
Fujian Free Trade Zone Focus
- To promote investment in, and trade with, Taiwan
- Develop tourism and shipping
- Build the key area for "Maritime Silk Road"
Fujian Free Trade Zone Map
Fujian Free Trade Zone Areas
The Fujian Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Top: Fuzhou Area
- Chinese Name: 福州片区
- Area: 31 km²
Middle: Pingtan Area
- Chinese Name: 平潭片区
- Area: 43 km²
Bottom: Xiamen Area
- Chinese Name: 厦门片区
- Area: 44 km²
3. Guangdong Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（广东）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2015
- Total Area: 116 km²
- Website: china-gdftz.gov.cn
Guangdong Free Trade Zone Focus
- Demonstration area for deeper cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao
- Act as a pilot zone for financial opening-up, cultural education and high technology
- Act as a key location for the "Maritime Silk Road"
Guangdong Free Trade Zone Map
Guangdong Free Trade Zone Areas
The Guangdong Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Top: Nansha Area of Guangzhou
- Chinese Name: 广州南沙新区片区
- Area: 60 km²
Middle. Qianhai & Shekou Area of Shenzhen
- Chinese Name: 深圳前海蛇口片区
- Area: 28 km²
Bottom: Hengqin Area of Zhuhai
- Chinese Name: 珠海横琴新区片区
- Area: 28 km²
4. Henan Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（河南）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Henan) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
- Website: china-hnftz.gov.cn
Henan Free Trade Zone Focus
- Develop the traffic and logistics system for "One Belt, One Road" and cultivate emerging industries
Henan Free Trade Zone Map
Henan Free Trade Zone Areas
The Henan Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Left: Luoyang Area
- Chinese Name: 洛阳片区
- Area: 27 km²
Middle: Zhengzhou Area
- Chinese Name: 郑州片区
- Area: 73 km²
Right: Kaifeng Area
- Chinese Name: 开封片区
- Area: 20 km²
5. Hubei Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（湖北）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Hubei) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
- Website: china-hbftz.gov.cn
Hubei Free Trade Zone Focus
- Enhance the development of Central China and support industrial transfer
- Promote development of the "Yangtze River Economic Belt"
Hubei Free Trade Zone Map
Hubei Free Trade Zone Areas
The Hubei Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Left: Yichang Area
- Chinese Name: 宜昌片区
- Area: 28 km²
Middle: Xiangyang Area
- Chinese Name: 襄阳片区
- Area: 22 km²
Right: Wuhan Area
- Chinese Name: 武汉片区
- Area: 70 km²
6. Liaoning Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（辽宁）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
- Website: china-lnftz.gov.cn
Liaoning Free Trade Zone Focus
- Launch new industrialization, improve the North East's economic development and attract talent
- Build sea-rail intermodalism
Liaoning Free Trade Zone Map
Liaoning Free Trade Zone Areas
The Liaoning Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Top: Shenyang Area
- Chinese Name: 沈阳片区
- Area: 30 km²
Middle: Yingkou Area
- Chinese Name: 营口片区
- Area: 30 km²
Bottom: Dalian Area
- Chinese Name: 大连片区
- Area: 60 km²
7. Shaanxi Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（陕西）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
- Website: shaanxiftz.gov.cn
Shaanxi Free Trade Zone Focus
- Support high technology, agriculture technology, cultural and educational exchanges
- Drive "One Belt, One Road" and "Western Development"
Shaanxi Free Trade Zone Map
Shaanxi Free Trade Zone Areas
The Shaanxi Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Left: Yangling Demonstration Area
- Chinese Name: 杨凌示范区片区
- Area: 6 km²
Middle: Central Area
- Chinese Name: 中心片区
- Area: 88 km²
Right: Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park
- Chinese Name: 国际港务区片区
- Area: 26 km²
8. Shanghai Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（上海）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2013
- Total Area: 121 km²
- Website: china-shftz.gov.cn
Shanghai Free Trade Zone Focus
- Grow free trade, foreign investment, international shipping and financial services
- Transform government functions and improve the legal system
- Explore a new approach for reform & opening-up and research an offshore tax system
Shanghai Free Trade Zone Map
Shanghai Free Trade Zone Areas
The Shanghai Free Trade Zone is comprised of 4 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
First Two & Last Two Images: Bonded Area
- Chinese Name: 综合保税区
- Area: 29 km²
Shanghai Free Trade Zone's Bonded Area is comprised of 4 sections, including the first free trade zone in China - Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone.
- Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone (外高桥保税区)
- Waigaoqiao Free Trade Logistics Park (外高桥保税物流园区)
- Yangshan Free Trade Port Area (洋山保税港区)
- Pudong Airport Comprehensive Free Trade Zone (浦东机场综合保税区)
Third Image: Jinqiao Development Zone
- Chinese Name: 金桥开发区片区
- Area: 20 km²
Forth Image: Lujiazui Financial Zone
- Chinese Name: 陆家嘴金融片区
- Area: 34 km² (Including Expo Park Development Zone)
Fifth Image: Zhangjiang High Tech Park
- Chinese Name: 张江高科技片区
- Area: 37 km²
9. Sichuan Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（四川）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Sichuan) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
- Website: scftz.gov.cn
Shanghai Free Trade Zone Focus
- Deepen "Western Development"
- Lead the South West to develop foreign trade, advanced manufacturing and modern services
Sichuan Free Trade Zone Map
Sichuan Free Trade Zone Areas
The Sichuan Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Top: Chengdu Qingbaijiang Railway Port Area
- Chinese Name: 成都青白江铁路港片区
- Area: 10 km²
Middle: Chengdu Tianfu New Area
- Chinese Name: 成都天府新区片区
- Area: 90 km²
Bottom: South Sichuan Port Area
- Chinese Name: 川南临港片区
- Area: 20 km²
10. Tianjin Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（天津）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2015
- Total Area: 120 km²
- Website: china-tjftz.gov.cn
Tianjin Free Trade Zone Focus
- Develop manufacturing and shipping & logistics services
- Speed up the synergetic development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei
Tianjin Free Trade Zone Map
Tianjin Free Trade Zone Areas
The Tianjin Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Left: Tianjin Airport Area
- Chinese Name: 天津机场片区
- Area: 43 km²
Middle: Binhai CBD Area
- Chinese Name: 滨海新区中心商务片区
- Area: 47 km²
Right: Tianjin Port Dongjiang Area
- Chinese Name: 天津港东疆片区
- Area: 30 km²
11. Zhejiang Free Trade Zone
- Official Chinese Name: 中国（浙江）自由贸易试验区
- Official English Name: China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Established: 2017
- Total Area: 120 km²
Zhejiang Free Trade Zone Focus
- Develop foreign trade in bulk commodities, especially oils
- Develop relevant marine industries
Zhejiang Free Trade Zone Map
Zhejiang Free Trade Zone Areas
The Zhejiang Free Trade Zone is comprised of 3 areas which are displayed in the following locations on the map above:
Top (5 areas highlighted in red): Zhoushan Offshore Area
- Chinese Name: 舟山离岛片区
- Area: 79 km²
Middle: Zhoushan North Area
- Chinese Name: 舟山岛北部片区
- Area: 16 km²
Bottom: Zhoushan South Area
- Chinese Name: 舟山岛南部片区
- Area: 25 km²
Future China Free Trade Zones
It was announced in April 2018 that the whole island of Hainan, which is a massive 33,920 km² and is already one of China's special economic zones, will be transformed into a free trade zone.
An ambitious schedule to establish this free trade zone by 2020 and have a fully developed free trade system by 2035 has been outlined.
Subsequent to this, plans to set up a further 6 free trade zones, in Yunnan, Guangxi, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces, were announced in August 2019.
Other China Zones
