International media reports and observers say the
establishment of China's new economic zone not only provides a new blueprint
for the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, but also
indicates China's determination to deepen its opening up in an all-round way.
China announced Saturday it would establish the
Xiongan New Area in north China's Hebei Province, which is located some 100 km
southwest of downtown Beijing.
Well-known international media outlets have
enthusiastically reported about the new economic zone, regarding it a major
decision of the Chinese government to promote the coordinated development of
the BTH region, and a signal of China's willingness to continue to embrace
globalization and free trade.
The Associated Press said the economic area is part
of a plan to integrate the capital with its surrounding areas, noting that
prior to this, the Chinese government had already planned to jointly develop
Beijing, the port city of Tianjin and Hebei Province to boost regional and
economic development in the northern region.
The Strait Times of Singapore said the removal of
non-capital functions from Beijing is part of a greater strategy to integrate
the development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei for a better economic structure,
a cleaner environment and improved public services.
Bloomberg cited Bill Bowler, a sales trader at
Forsyth Barr Asia Ltd in Hong Kong, as saying that this would be one of the
centerpieces of a high-level development plan for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei
region.
Moreover, overseas analysts believe that the
establishment of the new economic area will broaden economic growth and improve
the level of China's opening-up.
Jose Ignacio Martinez, an international relations
researcher from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said Xiongan New
Area's intended focus on developing high-end, high-tech industries has positive
meaning for the country's overall industrial upgrading, and will stimulate a
new round of China's economic growth.
Martinez also noted that Xiongan New Area's policy
on opening up will further promote foreign direct investment and improve the
level of China's opening up, citing the successful examples of Shenzhen Special
Economic Zone and the Shanghai Pudong New Area.
Paola De Simone, an expert on international law and
economic analyst from Argentina, said China's determination to build the area
is an important component of the effort to promote economic globalization, and
the setting up of Xiongan New Area will continue to boost the openness and
inclusiveness of China's foreign communication and cooperation.
Simone added that Xiongan New Area, along with the
seven new free trade zones, demonstrates China's open and friendly attitude
toward the world.
She said China's step-by-step promotion of opening
up is conducive to improving its production efficiency, driving its
consumption, boosting foreign direct investment and enhancing innovative
ability. ( From China Daily)