Chongqing plans to fully utilize free trade zones

Chongqing will make full use of its existing two free trade zones to boost trade in a traditional way instead of rushing to apply for a national free trade zone similar to Shanghai's, according to Huang Qifan, mayor of Chongqing.

The two free trade zones in Chongqing, Xiyong Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and Chongqing LiangLu/CunTan Free Trade Port Area, cover some 17 square kilometers.

Huang said Chongqing would focus on the policies that the central government has already formulated, including bonded processing, logistics and trading.

When many cities are applying for, or working on, free trade zones, the definitions and functions are different, said Huang at the recent Chongqing Mayor’s International Economic Advisory Council.

Chongqing has been keeping a low profile about applying for the first free trade zone in inland China.

Pu Yongjian, professor from the School of Economics and Business Administration at Chongqing University said in a previous media interview that Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area and Banan District are more likely to apply for free trade zones.