Pilot projects instrumental in opening-up progress

China has set its sights on exploring new frontiers for opening-up, with education and culture being the next areas of focus, which senior executives said are windows of opportunity for foreign companies that are only set to widen.

"Last year, China pushed for pilot projects to expand opening-up in the areas of value-added telecommunications, biotechnology and wholly owned hospitals in eligible regions," said He Yongqian, a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson, at a news conference on Thursday.

The results have been tangible, with 13 foreign-invested enterprises already being granted licenses to operate value-added telecommunications services, over 40 foreign biotech projects established and three wholly foreign-owned hospitals approved, according to the ministry.