China's three major development areas should be transformed into
bonded zones to meet the new demands from the country's reform and
opening up drive, said a political advisor in Beijing on
Friday.
Considering the demand for promoting China's export and
sharpening the country's competitive edge in international economic
cooperation, it is very necessary to transform the three major
development areas, namely Shanghai's Pudong New District, Tianjin's
Binhai New Area and Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, into bonded
zones at a proper time, said Li Youwei, a member of the National
Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(CPPCC).
If transformed, the three areas located in the booming Yangtze
River Delta, Bohai-rim region and Pearl River Delta will receive a
major boost to continue leading the country in development as three
economic engines, said Li when speaking at a plenary meeting of the
CPPCC National Committee, China's top advisory body.
"The transformation will mark an important step to deepen the
country's reform and opening-up drive," Li said.
China set up a batch of special economic zones since the
1980s,including Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen, which became the
country's pioneers in the reform and opening-up drive and pilot
fields for the market economy.
As the country is entering a new stage of economic development,
Li said, it is necessary to set up bonded zones in the three
areas.
The annual session of the CPPCC National Committee opened in
Beijing on March 3 and is scheduled to end on March 15.
(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2007)