MOFCOM to Promote High-Quality Development of National Economic and Technological Development Zones

On May 21, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued the Work Plan for Deepening Reform and Innovation in National Economic and Technological Development Zones to Lead High-Quality Development with High-Level Openness (the “Plan”), which specifies sixteen items across five areas. The Plan took effect on May 21, 2025.

The Plan calls for improving the quality of foreign investment. Foreign investment projects in integrated circuits, biomedicine, high-end equipment manufacturing, and other sectors in national economic and technological development zones are prioritised for inclusion in the list of major and key foreign investment projects. All types of funds, including foreign-funded funds, are encouraged to invest in emerging industries within national economic and technological development zones to cultivate and incubate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). National economic and technological development zones are guided to implement preferential tax policies such as deferred taxation on reinvested profits distributed to foreign investors, and financial support is strengthened. All regions are permitted to coordinate and utilise funds from local government special bonds and other sources to support the construction of parks and industrial projects in eligible national economic and technological development zones. Eligible development and construction entities in national economic and technological development zones are supported to expand financing channels through listing and other means. Financing support for sci-tech SMEs is precisely enhanced based on their actual contributions to innovation.