Shanghai looks to other FTZs for free port lessons

General Secretary Xi Jinping said at the opening of the 19th CPC National Congress that the establishment of free ports should be considered within free trade zones, and experts say the experiences of predecessors such as Singapore and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may help FTZs advance toward that goal.

Shanghai's Party chief Han Zheng said during the sidelines of the 19th CPC National Congress that the establishment of a free port within the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone has entered the planning stage and needs a green light from the central authorities before moving forward.

The State Council released a plan in March to comprehensively advance the opening-up of the Shanghai FTZ. The plan pointed out that a free port will be set up in the Yangshan bonded area and Shanghai Pudong International Airport bonded area.