Special Economic Zones

Special economic zones were initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This was a far-reaching decision by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to promote reform, opening up and socialist modernization.

In April 1979, on receiving the report by the leader of CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee about building a processing zone for exports in Guangdong Province, Deng Xiaoping proposed a "special export zone" pilot. In July, the central authorities decided to grant more decision-making power to Guangdong and Fujian provinces regarding foreign economic activities, and allow them to adopt special and flexible policies and take the lead in building special export zones.

In May 1980, the name "special export zones" was changed to "special economic zones," and in August the central authorities decided to build special economic zones in Guangdong's Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou, and Fujian's Xiamen. In April 1988, Hainan Special Economic Zone was established, and in May 2010, Xinjiang's Khorgas and Kashi were added to the list.

Special economic zones practice special economic policies and management systems to develop an export-oriented economy. They are major channels for China to boost its own economy by utilizing overseas capital, technology, personnel and management expertise, and are windows to and models of China's reform and opening up, driving for socialist modernization.

興辦經濟特區

經濟特區誕生于20世紀70年代末80年代初。興辦經濟特區，是中共中央、國務院根據鄧小平的倡導，為推進改革開放和社會主義現代化建設進行的偉大創舉。

1979年4月，鄧小平在聽取中共廣東省委負責人關于興辦出口加工區的匯報時，建議試辦“出口特區”。同年7月，中共中央、國務院決定對廣東、福建兩省的對外經濟活動給予更多的自主權，批準兩省實行“特殊政策、靈活措施、先行一步”，并試辦出口特區。

1980年5月，中共中央、國務院將“出口特區”名稱改為內涵更加豐富的“經濟特區”。同年8月，批準在廣東、福建兩省的深圳、珠海、汕頭、廈門設立經濟特區，標志著中國經濟特區的正式誕生。1988年4月，設立海南經濟特區。2010年5月，批準霍爾果斯、喀什設立經濟特區。

經濟特區實行特殊的經濟政策和經濟管理體制，堅持以外向型經濟為發展目標，是中國利用境外資金、技術、人才和管理經驗來發展本國和本地經濟的重要手段，在中國改革開放和社會主義現代化建設中發揮了重要窗口和示范帶動作用。