China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone Launches 81 Reform Pilot Tasks

On April 11, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region held a press conference on the development of the China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The event coincided with the zone's unveiling ceremony, a construction mobilization meeting, and the first meeting of the FTZ Working Leading Group, where comprehensive plans were outlined.

The China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone covers a total area of 119.74 square kilometers, comprising three zones: Hohhot (76.28 sq km), Manzhouli (25.11 sq km), and Erenhot (18.35 sq km). It has put forward 81 reform tasks and measures across seven sectors, and has already replicated and rolled out 280 advanced practices and institutional innovations from other pilot free trade zones nationwide.

With institutional innovation as its core, the pilot zone has defined an eight-pronged development vision: "five centers, one strategic hub, one demonstration zone, and one strategic pivot". It will actively participate in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.

Over three to five years of reform and exploration, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region aims to build the pilot free trade zone into a high-level FTZ characterized by facilitated investment and trade, a sound innovation ecosystem, clustered competitive industries, and vibrant international exchanges. This will provide strong momentum for China's overall opening-up strategy and boost socio-economic development in border areas.