【中国网】NPC deputy: Free trade ports require rigorous, wise planning
（来源:中国网 2018-03-14）
China's free trade ports must be constructed with both rigor and care, Huang Maoxing said in an interview with China.org.cn on Monday during the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) held in Beijing. Huang is the dean of the School of Economics at Fujian Normal University and a deputy to the 13th NPC.
According to the report delivered by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping to the 19th CPC National Congress, China will grant more power to pilot free trade zones (FTZs) to conduct reform and explore the opening of free trade ports.
A free trade port refers to an entire port area built within a country's territory but lying outside of customs boundaries, allowing free flow of cargo, capital and personnel, and offering tariff exemptions for most cargo exiting and entering the area.
In the 2018 government work report, delivered at the opening meeting of the ongoing session, Premier Li Keqiang also said that the country plans to spread the use of practices developed in FTZs all over the country, and to explore opening free trade ports.
A dozen Chinese municipalities and provinces have begun attempts to lead the way in building free trade ports that will facilitate trade and investment, reported Chinadaily.com.cn.
Huang suggested that the central government accelerate the development of a top-level design to construct free trade ports, and implement the design actively and judiciously.
With the development of 11 pilot FTZs, said Huang, China has made major institutional reforms to advance trade and investment liberalization, to build a more open financial system, and most importantly to align with international business rules.
It's time for the country now to phase in a new policy, which can combine the successful experience offered by FTZs with local conditions to forge 'new heights in reform and opening up.
But he noted a free trade pilot is not simply an upgraded version of an FTZ, but has stricter requirements, including a vast locality, large cargo-handling capacity and rigorous alignment with international business policy.
In designating free trade ports, the government needs to take different conditions of candidates into full consideration and make prudent choices.
He also recommended that mechanisms be established to coordinate the administration of customs, quality supervision, inspection, quarantine and maritime safety in free trade ports to improve efficiency.
Huang commented that China's investigation into building free trade ports symbolizes its continuous commitment to reform and opening up. The move also demonstrates China's position as a responsible major trade participant ready to share the benefits of its development with other countries, Huang added.
Huang Maoxing, a deputy to the 13th NPC and the dean of the School of Economics at Fujian Normal University [Photo courtesy of Huang Maoxing]
原文翻译：
全国人大代表：自由贸易港口需要严谨明智的规划
黄茂兴在北京举行的第十三届全国人民代表大会第一次会议期间接受China.org.cn采访时说，中国的自由贸易港口必须建设得既严谨又谨慎。黄茂兴是福建师范大学经济学院院长，第十三届全国人大代表。
根据中共中央总书记习近平向十九大提交的报告，中国“将给予自由贸易试验区更多的权力，进行改革和探索自由贸易港口的开放。“
自由贸易港是指在一个国家的领土上建造的整个港口区域，但位于海关边界之外，允许货物，资金和人员自由流动，并为大多数货物进出该区域提供关税豁免。
在正在进行的会议开幕式上发布的2018年政府工作报告中，李克强总理还表示，该国计划“在全国推广自由贸易区内开发的做法，并探索开放自由贸易港口”。
Chinadaily.com.cn报道，十几个中国省市已开始尝试引领自由贸易港口的建设，这将促进贸易和投资。
黄茂兴建议中央政府加快发展顶层设计建设自由贸易港口，并积极和明智地实施设计。
黄茂兴表示，随着11个试点自由贸易区的发展，中国进行了重大的体制改革，推动贸易和投资自由化，建立更开放的金融体系，最重要的是与国际商业规则保持一致。
“现在是该国实施新政策的时候了，该政策可以将自贸区提供的成功经验与当地实际情况相结合，在改革开放中形成新的高度。”
但他指出，自由贸易试点不仅仅是自由贸易区的升级版本，而是具有更严格的要求，包括广阔的地区，巨大的货物处理能力以及严格的国际商业政策。
“在指定自由贸易港口时，政府需要充分考虑候选人的不同条件并作出慎重的选择。”
他还建议建立机制，以协调自由贸易港口的海关，质量监督，检验，检疫和海上安全管理，以提高效率。
黄茂兴评论说，中国对建设自由港口的调查标志着中国对改革开放的持续承诺。此举还表明中国作为负责任的主要贸易参与者的立场，准备与其他国家分享其发展的好处。
来源链接：http://www.china.org.cn/china/NPC_CPPCC_2018/2018-03/14/content_50708044.htm
（发稿/陈奕晴）
