Zones in border areas to strengthen ties with neighboring countries

China's latest batch of free trade zones will help open up the country's border regions, and strengthen the economic and trade ties with neighboring countries, experts said.

The country extended its strategic pilot FTZs to border areas, according to the plans of the six FTZs unveiled in August, the first such move. The Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region borders Vietnam, Yunnan province borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, while Heilongjiang province borders Russia.

The other three zones are located in Shandong, Jiangsu and Hebei. All are expected to carry out reforms in line with their positioning and local characteristics.