Tempo de leitura: 4 minutos
| Matteo Giovannini | In 2025, China marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of its first Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Shantou in Guangdong Province, and Xiamen in Fujian Province. Conceived in 1980 as bold experiments at the dawn of the reform and opening-up era, these zones have transformed not only the cities in which they were rooted, but also the trajectory of China’s modernization. From small fishing villages and trading ports, the SEZs have grown into vibrant hubs of global commerce, innovation and finance, serving as the nation’s experimental fields for market-oriented reforms and as windows for engagement with the outside world.
The creation of SEZs was a gamble. At a time when China was just emerging from decades of a closed, centrally planned economy, giving localities broad discretion to attract foreign capital, experiment with private enterprise, and introduce modern management practices was nothing short of revolutionary. The success of this approach quickly proved undeniable. Shenzhen, once a sleepy town of 30,000 people, has today become a metropolis of over 17 million and a symbol of China’s rise as a global manufacturing and innovation powerhouse. Similar transformations occurred in Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen, each carving its niche in trade, industry, and services while contributing to the broader story of national development.
The economic dynamism unleashed by SEZs can be measured in hard numbers. Over the past four and a half decades, these zones have attracted hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, catalyzed industrial upgrading and generated countless employment opportunities. By embracing global supply chains, they enabled China to integrate into the world economy at unprecedented speed. The model was soon replicated nationwide, and what started as a coastal experiment became the blueprint for China’s transformation into the world’s second-largest economy.
Beyond their economic contributions, the SEZs also pioneered crucial institutional reforms. They tested market-driven mechanisms such as land-use rights, corporate autonomy, and labor mobility. They introduced legal and regulatory frameworks that provided greater clarity and predictability for investors, laying the foundation for a rule-of-law business environment. They embraced innovation, from early adoption of modern banking and financial services to policies that encouraged entrepreneurship and technology transfer.
The legacy of the SEZs is not confined to their historical role. In today’s context, as China navigates a new stage of development, it continues to play a vital role in advancing national priorities such as the “dual circulation” strategy and high-quality growth. The dual circulation framework emphasizes reinforcing domestic demand and technological self-reliance while maintaining openness to global markets. SEZs, with their proven capacity for institutional innovation and global connectivity, are uniquely positioned to balance these two dimensions.
Moreover, the SEZs serve as laboratories for China’s pursuit of sustainable and innovation-driven development. Shenzhen has become a pioneer in the green economy, from deploying one of the world’s largest fleets of electric buses to advancing renewable energy technologies. Zhuhai has championed ecological protection alongside economic growth. These efforts reflect the evolving mission of SEZs, which is not only to generate rapid growth but also to model pathways of balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development.
The global context in which the SEZs operate has also shifted dramatically since 1980. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments, and rising protectionism have altered the landscape of globalization. Yet the essence of the SEZs, as platforms for openness, experimentation, and integration, remains highly relevant. As the world grapples with fragmentation, China’s SEZs continue to embody the spirit of bridging divides through trade, investment, and innovation. Their resilience and adaptability over nearly half a century demonstrate that reform and openness are not one-off policies, but enduring processes that evolve with changing realities.
Looking ahead, the SEZs are poised to spearhead China’s next wave of transformation. They will be central to advancing breakthroughs in areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and new energy industries. They will also remain crucial channels for deepening China’s economic ties with global partners, whether through the Belt and Road Initiative, regional agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or bilateral trade and investment flows. The task for the SEZs is no longer just to catch up with the world, but to help shape the frontiers of global economic development.
Forty-five years ago, the establishment of SEZs signaled China’s determination to embrace reform and openness. Today, as China enters a new phase of modernization, the SEZs remind us that the courage to experiment, the willingness to engage with the world, and the drive to innovate are timeless assets.
As China celebrates this milestone, these pioneering areas continue to demonstrate how bold vision and pragmatic experimentation can reshape a nation’s future. Their legacy is not only historical but also forward-looking, rooted in their capacity to adapt, foster innovation, and strengthen China’s integration with the global economy.
Fonte: CGTN | Foto: Reprodução
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