Demonstration zones sign of higher level of opening-up

The central government has recently issued a notice on the establishment of 29 more national demonstration zones for innovative development of the import trade, raising the number of such zones in China to 43. This marks China's renewed efforts to expand imports and promote higher-level opening-up.

In the first 10 months of this year, the total value of China's foreign trade reached 34.62 trillion yuan ($4.91 trillion), up 9.5 percent year-on-year. Imports during the period reached 14.91 trillion yuan, up 5.2 percent. China has been the world's second-largest importer for 13 consecutive years and is now a major export destination for 60 countries and regions across the world, with its imports accounting for 10.6 percent of the world's total imports in the first half of this year.

As an import promotion platform, the 14 national demonstration zones previously identified by the authorities have adopted a series of pioneering policies to promote deep integration of the import trade with industries and consumption and formed their respective advantages and characteristics.