FTZ expansion signals global ambitions

The nation's first free trade zone will be enlarged to promote the next stage of the country's opening-up process. Zhou Wenting reports.

The planned addition of a new area to the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is aimed at promoting a higher level of opening-up to the outside world rather than just a simple expansion in geographical size, according to a top official from Shanghai.

The new area will become a special economic function zone, with stronger market influence and international competitiveness via institutional innovation and functional reconstruction, said Li Qiang, Party secretary of Shanghai.