The Overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone Promotion Subsystem

Abstract

From the mid-1990s onward, the national leaders of many developing countries, and even some developed countries, have expressed the hope of introducing China’s experience with reform and opening up, and its development zone or industrial park model, into their countries. It was in this context that China began setting up overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in 2006. This not only allowed China to spread its successful model to other countries to help them develop, it also guided Chinese enterprises in going global. Under the guidance of the state, Chinese enterprises have built, on their own or as participants, various overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, such as processing zones and technical/industrial parks, which possess good infrastructure, complete industry chains and strong ripple effects. Today, overseas economic and trade cooperation zones have become an important springboard for Chinese enterprises to go global, and have had significant international influence and social benefits. Countries such as Zimbabwe have made requests to the Chinese government to develop cooperation zones there. Of course, this is an overseas investment method for which there is little international experience that can be referred to. Problems such as unreasonable zone plans, unclear industry positioning and insufficient support for private company needs have occurred, and require specific support from the state to alleviate.