During the process of building a socialist economy with Chinese characteristics, China has established a large number of distinctive economic zones based on regional advantages, such as Economic Development Zones (EDZs), High-Tech Industrial Development Zones (HTIDZs), Border Economic Cooperation Zones (BECZs), and Special Customs Supervision Zones (SCSZs). In August 1988, China launched the Torch Program—a national high-tech industrial development plan. In 1992, the State Council approved the establishment of the first Border Economic Cooperation Zone. As crucial platforms for attracting foreign investment, these economic zones have made significant contributions to China's economic development during its reform and opening-up process.
Both national and provincial-level economic zones typically implement policies involving infrastructure development, enterprise support, and tax and land incentives. Depending on their regional locations and establishment objectives, these zones also carry unique historical significance. After joining the WTO, China's economy became more integrated with the global economy. Development zones attracted large multinational corporations, facilitating the large-scale introduction of foreign capital, advanced technologies, equipment, and management concepts, which significantly accelerated China's industrial modernization. However, issues such as excessive proliferation of development zones, haphazard land occupation, and "zones without development" became prevalent. To address problems including the unchecked expansion of various development zones, illegal occupation of farmland under the guise of development zones, and infringement of farmers' rights, the State Council initiated a nationwide rectification and consolidation of development zones in July 2003. In early 2007, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Land and Resources, and the Ministry of Construction jointly released the China Development Zone Audit Bulletin Directory (2006 Edition). After over three years of consolidation, the number of development zones nationwide was reduced from over 6,000 to just over 1,000 by December 2006, with planned areas shrinking from nearly 40,000 square kilometers to just over 9,000 square kilometers.
After decades of development, development zones have become engines for rapid regional economic growth. China will continue to actively promote comprehensive development, strengthen overall planning, enhance development quality, and achieve sustainable growth.
CnOpenData has compiled data on basic statistical indicators of China's development zones, covering key metrics such as GDP, fixed asset investment, and gross industrial output value across development zones from 2017 to 2023. This dataset holds significant importance for research in regional economics, industrial economics, and related fields.
Time Period
2017–2023 (inclusive), but please note that not all indicators are available for every development zone and every year. For detailed information, please contact customer service.
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Sample Data
Relevant Literature
- Lu Fangwen, Sun Weizeng, and Wu Jianfeng. 2023. "Special Economic Zones and Human Capital Investment: 30 Years of Evidence from China." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy.
- Tian, Xuan, and Xu, Jiajie. 2018. "Do Place-Based Policies Promote Local Innovation and Entrepreneurship?" Review of Finance.
- Simon Alder, Lin Shao, and Fabrizio Zilibotti. 2016. "Economic reforms and industrial policy in a panel of Chinese cities." Journal of Economic Growth.
- Hua Yue, Ye Yun. 2023. "Carbon Emission Reduction Effects of Green Location-Based Policies: Evidence from National Eco-Industrial Demonstration Parks." The Journal of Quantitative & Technical Economics (4). (Note: Journal titles in Chinese are retained in Chinese as per convention)
- Li Ben, Wu Lihua. 2018. "Establishment of Development Zones and Enterprise Growth: Heterogeneity and Mechanisms." China Industrial Economics (4).
- Bao Qun, Tang Shi, Liu Bi. 2017. "Local Competition, Homogeneity of Leading Industries, and Domestic Overcapacity." The Journal of World Economy (10).
- Wang Bing, Nie Xin. 2016. "Industrial Agglomeration and Environmental Governance: Boon or Bane? Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment on Development Zone Establishment." China Industrial Economics (12).
- Wang Yongjin, Zhang Guofeng. 2016. "Sources of Productivity Advantages in Development Zones: Agglomeration Effects or Selection Effects?" Economic Research Journal (7).
- Li Lixing, Shen Guangjun. 2015. "Economic Development Zones, Regional Comparative Advantages, and Industrial Restructuring." China Economic Quarterly (3).
- Zheng Jianghuai, Gao Yanyan, Hu Xiaowen. 2008. "Enterprise Clustering, Technological Upgrading, and Economic Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Agglomeration Effects in Development Zones." Economic Research Journal (5).
Data Update Frequency
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