Concerns persist about role of FTZ in reform across the nation

About half a year after the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was launched amid much fanfare, skepticism and confusion about its role and future persist.

The mixed sentiment was reflected earlier this month during a panel discussion at the Boao Forum for Asia, which brought together officials, entrepreneurs and academics.

Panelist Nouriel Roubini, a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, raised a key question. Since the FTZ is meant to be a model for reform across the nation, he asked, how and when will its practices be disseminated?