China decided to establish its special economic zones (SEZs) 30 years ago as the country was pulling itself out of the turbulent times of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and launching its reform and opening-up policies -- policies that have transformed the country into a leading economic power.
The following is a chronicle of the development of the SEZs.
-- 1978, the State Council, China's Cabinet, dispatches a team to Hong Kong and Macao to survey their economies. Once back in Beijing, the team proposes upgrading Baoan and Zhuhai counties, neighboring Hong Kong and Macao, respectively, to city level. They also propose turning the two counties into export and processing hubs and tourist attractions for people from Hong Kong and Macao.
-- March 1979, the State Council approves the establishment of the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
-- July 1979, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China(CPC) and the State Council permit Guangdong and Fujian provinces to implement special and flexible policies in economic affairs involving foreign countries. They also approve the establishment of tentative special export zones in Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
-- May 16, 1980, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council rename "Special Export Zone" as "Special Economic Zone."
-- Aug. 26, 1980, China approves the establishment of SEZs in the southern cities of Shenzhen, Xiamen, Shantou and Zhuhai.
-- January and February 1984, Deng Xiaoping endorses the SEZs, praising their economic development and urging them to further open up and reform during his inspection tour to Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen.
-- May 1984, China announces the opening up of 14 coastal cities. April 13, 1988, the southern island Hainan becomes China's first provincial-level SEZ. April 1990, China announces the opening up of Shanghai's Pudong area.
-- July 1991, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange opens with government approval.
-- Jan. 1992, Deng Xiaoping, then 88, reiterates China will continue the policy of reform and opening-up during his famous inspection tour of south China.
-- June 1994, Chinese President Jiang Zemin reaffirms the central authorities' resolve to develop the SEZs during his inspection tour to Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
-- Nov. 2000, Jiang urges Shenzhen to continue to serve as a trailblazer in China's reform and opening-up in a rally marking the 20th anniversary of the Shenzhen SEZ.
-- April 2003, President Hu Jintao, speaking in Shenzhen, says eastern China, including SEZs, are at a new stage of development and face new opportunities and challenges.
-- April 2004, Hu urges Zhuhai to upgrade its economic structure and transform its economic growth pattern.
-- Jan. 2006, Hu visits Xiamen in eastern China's Fujian Province and calls for "clean, economic and safe development."
-- April 2008, Hu visits southern Hainan island to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the country's largest SEZ. Hu stresses the protection of Hainan's environment as it develops.
-- Oct. 2009, China's top legislature approved the establishment of the Hengqin New District on the Hengqin Island of Zhuhai.
-- Dec. 2009, Hu makes another inspection tour to Zhuhai, and he says innovation should be the "lifeline" of enterprises and that products with their own intellectual property rights should be developed. He encourages researchers to improve themselves and promotes changing "Made in China" into "Created or Designed in China."
-- Jan. 2010, the State Council maps out a plan to build Hainan Island into an international tourism zone over the next five to 10 years to make it a pioneer in tourism and a base for modern tropical farming.
-- In June, July and August, the State Council decides all of Xiamen, Zhuhai and Shenzhen will be parts of the three SEZs.
