FDI to get boost, new commerce chief vows

China's newly appointed minister of commerce vowed on Monday to further boost foreign direct investment and let foreign companies play a bigger role driving local manufacturing and service industries.

Zhong Shan, who replaces Gao Hucheng, spoke of the importance of pilot free trade zones and supply-side reform at a national conference to attract FDI. "A total of 114 innovative ways to get things done have been duplicated as a result of experiments that have taken place in the country's four FTZs, including Shanghai and Guangdong," he said.

The experiments have included allowing foreign firms to run healthcare and education businesses, and removing restrictions on foreign financial institutions like securities and fund management companies.