Q: Why did China choose Shenzhen and three other coastal
cities to experiment with its special economic zones? What are the
differences between the special economic zones and export-oriented
processing districts in some countries? What kinds of exemplary
roles have these special economic zones played in China's opening
up?
A: China turned Shenzhen and three other cities into special
economic zones for their geographical advantages. Shenzhen and
Shantou are close to Hong Kong; Zhuhai borders Macao; and Xiamen
faces Taiwan across Taiwan Straits. These cities can be
administered independently as places for absorbing investments from
overseas Chinese and businessmen from Hong Kong and Macao. In
addition, there are political considerations. In the words by Deng
Xiaoping, the general designer of China's reform and opening-up,
“We can carry out a trial which can serve as a window for the whole
country as well as a pioneer for a larger-scale opening up. If it
fails, such a small area will bring no influence to economic
development of the whole country.”
The establishment of special economic zones is a creation in
China's effort to open its door to the outside world. These special
economic zones feature in two fields in comparison with those in
other countries and regions. First they are integrated with
industry, commerce, agriculture, livestock, real estate and
tourism, not single-product trade zones or export-oriented
processing zones. Secondly, they are economic zones, not political
zones. That means they have adopted more opening-up policies and
flexible methods in absorbing foreign investment. They are neither
the special administrative zones like Hong Kong or Macao, nor
foreign concessions or colonies in the past.
In general, special economic zones were established to attract
foreign investment, advanced technology and managerial measures,
create more jobs and increase foreign earnings. Except for these
reasons, there are also other reasons:
Firstly, these special economic zones are experimental centers
of China's socialist market economy. It is an innovation
unparalleled in history to combine market economy with socialism
and should be tested in special economic zones first to achieve
experiences before being popularized throughout the country. It is
of important significance for minimizing the risks in building
socialist market economic system.
Secondly, these special economic zones are windows of the reform
in China. They have played an exemplary role in attracting foreign
capital and advanced technology and bringing in modern management
from foreign countries. They also set examples in perfecting legal
frame for socialist market economy, increasing government
efficiency and the reform of distribution system.
Thirdly, these special economic zones are the pioneers of
China's opening up to the outside world. If you say China's
economic reform began in rural areas, China's opening-up developed
from these special economic zones. The success of these special
economic zones has helped open China further to the outside
world.
Fourthly, these special economic zones have pushed forward the
national economic development greatly and especially their
high-speed development has direct influence on the continuous
economic growth in the two decades after China implemented the
reform and the open policy