The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the "Opinions on Implementing the Strategy to Enhance Free Trade Pilot Zones."

Recently, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the "Opinions on Implementing the Strategy to Upgrade Pilot Free Trade Zones" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"), which systematically deploys the construction of pilot free trade zones.

The "Opinions" propose that implementing the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade zones is an important measure to promote high-level opening-up and high-quality development. It is essential to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, build a new development pattern, uphold the Party's overall leadership, lead with high-level opening-up, focus on institutional innovation, balance development and security, actively align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening-up in rules, regulations, management, and standards, strengthen overall planning and systematic integration of reforms, promote innovative development across the entire industry chain, and build pilot free trade zones into important hubs for smooth domestic and international dual circulation and powerful engines for high-quality development, playing a better exemplary role in further deepening comprehensive reforms and advancing the modernization of China.

The "Opinions" emphasize that after about five years of pioneering and integrated exploration, the level of institutional opening-up, systemic reform effectiveness, and the quality of the open economy in pilot free trade zones will be comprehensively improved. The policy system focusing on the free and convenient flow of trade, investment, capital, transportation, personnel, and the orderly flow of data will be more refined. The deep integration of technological and industrial innovation will be achieved, the level of modern industrial clusters will leap, new quality productive forces will accelerate development, and a new highland of reform and opening-up with higher levels of openness, better business environments, and stronger radiating effects will be created.

The "Opinions" propose to enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of foreign trade, promote the optimization and upgrading of goods trade, invigorate the development of service trade, and support the innovative development of digital trade. Enterprises within the zones are allowed to conduct physical mixing operations of gold ore under different tax codes through bonded logistics. Explore the establishment of a "white list" system for imported R&D items for biopharmaceutical enterprises, allowing exemption from import drug clearance certificates. Explore the establishment of a "white list" system for imported food and drug substances, allowing food-use substances to be cleared according to their actual use. Support the development of new-type offshore international trade businesses, and eligible enterprises can apply for recognition as technology-advanced service enterprises according to regulations. Explore pilot programs for the recognition of overseas professional qualifications. Promote the application of electronic bills of lading and electronic warrants, and advance the use of electronic signatures in the field of international multimodal paperless transport. Promote the application of electronic signatures in digital identity authentication and conduct pilot programs for mutual recognition of digital identities.

The "Opinions" point out that it is necessary to promote the liberalization and facilitation of investment, enhance market openness, and create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Attract and utilize foreign investment with greater efforts. Allow eligible foreign-invested enterprises within the zones to engage in post-production services for films. Support eligible doctors from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to obtain medical practitioner qualification certificates and open clinics within the zones. Allow well-known overseas arbitration institutions to establish business institutions in eligible pilot free trade zones. Conduct pilot programs for the registration and management of commercial mediation organizations.

The "Opinions" propose to build a high-energy-level technological innovation ecosystem, promote the integration of innovation and industry chains, and expand international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. It is necessary to build a modern industrial system, enhance the modernization level of the industry chain, promote the construction of advanced industrial clusters, and foster coordinated and linked industrial development in pilot free trade zones. Encourage pilot free trade zones to carry out integrated innovation across the entire industry chain. Support participation in the construction of national-level industrial clusters. Coordinate the linkage development of pilot free trade zones and national independent innovation demonstration zones, and select eligible regions for exploration. Support eligible pilot free trade zones to deepen road testing and demonstration applications of intelligent connected vehicles and conduct the construction of civil unmanned aerial vehicle test bases (test zones).

The "Opinions" clarify that it is necessary to promote the efficient, convenient, and secure flow of data, establish and improve market rules for data elements, and enhance the facilitation level of cross-border data flow. It is essential to build efficient and smooth open channels, improve shipping service levels, and strengthen the radiating capabilities of land and air transport. Allow the mixing and blending of high and low sulfur fuel oils under different tax codes through bonded logistics. Allow liquefied natural gas to enjoy bonded policies as fuel for international navigation vessels. Deepen open innovation in the financial sector, promote financial services to the real economy, and expand financial opening in an orderly manner. Expand pilot programs for multinational companies' integrated RMB and foreign currency capital pools. Support eligible pilot free trade zones to carry out pilot programs for qualified foreign limited partners. Promote the opening of the futures market with a focus on specific domestic futures varieties, expand the range of specific varieties, and explore diversified open paths such as the authorization of settlement prices for domestic futures products. Implement more proactive, open, and effective talent policies, innovate talent cultivation and utilization mechanisms, and facilitate personnel exchanges.

The "Opinions" emphasize that relevant localities and departments should intensify reform efforts under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and implement the measures in light of actual conditions. Relevant localities should strengthen their main responsibilities and increase investment in projects, funds, and talents. Departments should strengthen classified guidance and pilot relevant reform measures in pilot free trade zones based on actual conditions. The Ministry of Commerce should strengthen overall coordination, work with relevant departments to track effectiveness and replicate and promote experiences, and ensure the smooth implementation of the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade zones.