Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – A meeting to advance the implementation of the free trade zone upgrading strategy in the Guangzhou Nansha Free Trade Zone was held in Nansha on the 11th. Reporters learned at the meeting that Nansha has now attracted over 3,800 Hong Kong and Macao enterprises.
The meeting comprehensively implemented the national free trade zone upgrading strategy, carried out the work arrangements of Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City, systematically summarized the achievements of the Guangzhou Nansha Free Trade Zone, accurately analyzed development shortcomings, and planned key tasks for the next stage to a high standard.
The meeting pointed out that since its establishment in 2015, the Nansha Free Trade Zone has closely focused on its strategic positioning, adhered to institutional innovation as its core, and promoted the construction of the free trade zone to achieve a significant leap from "laying the foundation" to "accumulating strength and momentum," achieving systematic results. Currently, a total of 181 institutional innovation achievements have been replicated and promoted nationwide and throughout the province, and the comprehensive ranking of its institutional innovation index ranks among the top free trade zones in the country. The "one-stop" supervision model for cross-border e-commerce export returns has been selected as a best practice case in national free trade zones. Nansha has taken the lead nationwide in exploring a business registration confirmation system, building a "certificate-free free trade zone," and fully implementing "extremely simplified approval" for market access, significantly improving the level of market access facilitation and fully leveraging its role as a "test field" for reform and opening up in the new era.
Furthermore, Nansha has attracted over 3,800 Hong Kong and Macao enterprises. The 15% corporate income tax rate and the preferential policies of "Hong Kong residents pay Hong Kong taxes, Macao residents pay Macao taxes" have resulted in cumulative tax reductions of RMB 2.32 billion and RMB 150 million respectively. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and the Guangzhou Nansha Minxin Hong Kong Children's School have been completed. 248 overseas professional qualifications have been recognized, and 367 Hong Kong and Macao talents can practice conveniently in Nansha. The "Elderly Medical Voucher" and "Hong Kong and Macao Medical Device Pass" have been implemented, the innovation and entrepreneurship platform for Hong Kong and Macao youth has been continuously improved, and the integration of livelihood security has been continuously enhanced.
At the meeting, Zhang Ping, a second-level inspector of the Guangdong Provincial Free Trade Zone Office, expressed her hope that Nansha would take this meeting as an opportunity to further emancipate its mind, innovate, set clear goals, and work diligently to promote the implementation of the free trade zone's upgrading strategy with higher standards and more concrete measures, striving to be at the forefront and set an example in the construction of free trade zones throughout the province and even the country. The Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce (Guangdong Provincial Free Trade Zone Office), as the coordinating unit for the construction of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone, will always place the construction of the Nansha Free Trade Zone in an important position, and will do its utmost to coordinate and serve the overall planning, providing strong support for the implementation of the Nansha Free Trade Zone's upgrading strategy.
Liu Wei, member of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Nansha District Party Committee, emphasized that the construction of the free trade zone is an important national strategy, shouldering the significant mission of institutional innovation and reform and opening up. As the largest area of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Nansha has achieved certain results in the ten years since its establishment. This year is a crucial juncture for expansion and quality improvement. Nansha should deepen the construction and development of the free trade zone with a higher perspective, a broader vision, and stronger efforts.
Liu Wei pointed out four key points: First, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, conduct in-depth research among enterprises to accurately identify specific problems at this stage, implement precise measures, and resolve them effectively; strengthen horizontal comparison with other free trade zones in China, absorb their strengths, and address shortcomings. Second, strengthen goal-oriented guidance, align with high-standard international trade rules, create a world-class business environment, and make the Nansha Free Trade Zone the best brand and channel for Chinese goods to go global. Third, strengthen cross-departmental collaboration, promote cross-departmental cooperation among customs, border inspection, maritime affairs, and taxation, facilitate the efficient cross-border flow of goods, services, technology, data, and personnel, optimize the Nansha cross-border trade cluster platform, and form more replicable and scalable Nansha models and experiences. Fourth, coordinate development and security, give full play to Nansha's important role as the "key point" of the Greater Bay Area, focus on rule alignment, closely connect with Hong Kong and Macao, boldly experiment and explore, and steadily implement groundbreaking policies such as yacht free travel and the Hong Kong and Macao medical device access program. (End)
