Special economic zones established in 1979
(People's Daily Online)
Updated: 2008-10-29 17:28

On July 15, 1979, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council approved the report of Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Fujian Provincial Party Committee on the implementation of special policies and flexible measures on foreign economic activities, and decided to establish pilot special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen.

On May 16, 1980, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council formally named them "Special Economic Zones."

Special economic zones established in 1979
 
At the beginning of the reform and opening-up, in the absence of sufficient experience of foreign economic relations and a sound domestic legal system, the establishment of special economic zones have played an important role in promoting further reform and opening up and expanding foreign economic relations and exchanges.