| Preparing Shanghai, Preparing China | | Globalization has passed the phase of traditional commodity trade and is now heavily bent toward service trade and cross-border investment. To adapt to the new trend, the Shanghai free trade zone is designed to expand the opening of the service sector in China | | more | | |
 | | A New Growth Engine | | | The Central Government has given Shanghai the green light to set up the mainland's first free trade zone, moving it closer to becoming a global financial, trade and shipping hub to rival other Asian cities such as Hong Kong | | Full Story | |
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| Free Trade Zone | | A free trade zone is a place where goods can be imported, manufactured and exported without the intervention of customs authorities | | more | | | Timeline | July 3, 2013: The State Council approves the plan to establish a free trade zone
June 28, 2013: The Shanghai Municipal Government hands in its application for the free trade zone after soliciting opinions
2010: The National Development and Reform Commission and State Council send an inspection group to Shanghai
2005: Cities including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin, file applications to the State Council, China's cabinet, to establish free trade zones
2003: Official suggests it's time for China to set up a free trade zone on the basis of existing bonded zones | | more | | |
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