China to expand FTZ pilot programs

China's efforts to replicate pilot measures from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in more FTZs and other parts of the country will further promote trade liberalization, while providing stronger support for the growth of foreign businesses, said government officials on Friday.

According to a State Council circular released on Thursday, China will replicate 77 pilot measures from the Shanghai FTZ in an effort to align with high-standard international economic and trade rules and advance high-standard institutional opening-up.

The measures span seven key areas: trade in services, goods trade, digital trade, intellectual property protection, government procurement reform, behind-the-border regulatory systems reform, and risk prevention and control.