In the process of building a socialist economy with Chinese characteristics, China has established a large number of regionally distinctive economic zones leveraging local advantages, such as Economic Development Zones (经济开发区), High-Tech Industrial Development Zones (高新技术产业开发区), Border Economic Cooperation Zones (边境经济合作区), and Special Customs Supervision Zones (海关特殊监管区). In August 1988, China initiated the Torch Program—a national high-tech industrialization development plan. In 1992, the State Council approved the establishment of the first Border Economic Cooperation Zone. As crucial vehicles for attracting foreign investment, these economic zones have made significant contributions to China's economic development during the reform and opening-up era.
Whether at the national or provincial level, economic zones are typically accompanied by policies such as essential infrastructure development, enterprise support, and tax/land incentives. Depending on their geographic location and establishment objectives, they 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 large-scale foreign investment inflows. This brought advanced technologies, equipment, and management concepts, significantly catalyzing China's industrial modernization. However, excessive proliferation of development zones, blind land occupation, and "development zones without actual development" became serious issues. To address problems such as the unchecked expansion of development zones and unauthorized farmland acquisition under the guise of development—which infringed upon farmers' interests—the State Council launched a nationwide rectification campaign in July 2003. By early 2007, the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Land and Resources, and Ministry of Construction jointly issued the Catalogue of China's Development Zones (2006 Edition). After over three years of consolidation, by December 2006, the number of development zones nationwide was reduced from over 6,000 to approximately 1,000, with planned areas shrinking from nearly 40,000 km² to about 9,000 km².
After decades of development, development zones have become engines for rapid regional economic growth. China will continue to actively promote comprehensive development, strengthen regional planning, enhance development quality, and achieve sustainable growth.
CnOpenData has compiled basic statistical indicators data for 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 value for research in regional economics, industrial economics, and related fields.
Time Period
2017–2023. Note that not all indicators are available for every development zone and every year. For detailed information, please contact customer service.
This dataset can be updated upon request.
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Related 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 and Ye Yun. 2023. "Carbon Emission Reduction Effects of Green Location-Based Policies: Evidence from National Eco-Industrial Demonstration Parks." Journal of Quantitative & Technological Economics (数量经济技术经济研究), no. 4.
- Li Ben and Wu Lihua. 2018. "Establishment of Development Zones and Enterprise Growth: Heterogeneity and Mechanisms." China Industrial Economics (中国工业经济), no. 4.
- Bao Qun, Tang Shi, and Liu Bi. 2017. "Local Competition, Homogeneous Leading Industries, and Domestic Overcapacity." World Economy (世界经济), no. 10.
- Wang Bing and Nie Xin. 2016. "Industrial Agglomeration and Environmental Governance: Catalyst or Obstacle? Evidence from Quasi-Natural Experiments of Development Zone Establishment." China Industrial Economics (中国工业经济), no. 12.
- Wang Yongjin and Zhang Guofeng. 2016. "Sources of Productivity Advantages in Development Zones: Agglomeration Effects or Selection Effects?" Economic Research Journal (经济研究), no. 7.
- Li Lixing and Shen Guangjun. 2015. "Economic Development Zones, Regional Comparative Advantages, and Industrial Restructuring." China Economic Quarterly (经济学(季刊)), no. 3.
- Zheng Jianghuai, Gao Yanyan, and Hu Xiaowen. 2008. "Enterprise Clustering, Technological Upgrading, and Economic Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Agglomeration Effects in Development Zones." Economic Research Journal (经济研究), no. 5.
Data Update Frequency
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