Non-peaceful purposes, the Dual-use Items Export Control List, and national-level economic development zones
Michael Horlick, MPM, M Ed., PMP
Educator, Lexicographer, and Incurable Idealist
Terms to note from recent PRC Ministry of Commerce press events:
中国政府一直严格依法依规管控包括无人机在内的所有两用物项出口，并多次发布公告。关于无人机及相关部件的管制范围和技术标准，可以查看12月1日刚刚生效的《中华人民共和国两用物项出口管制清单》。需要强调的是，中国政府秉持统筹发展和安全的理念，支持中国企业在民用领域开展无人机国际贸易与合作，坚决反对民用无人机被违规用于非和平目的，这既有利于履行防扩散等国际义务，也有利于保障全球产供链安全稳定。
The Chinese government has always strictly managed the export of all dual-use items, including drones, in accordance with laws and regulations, and has issued multiple announcements. Regarding the control scope and technical standards for drones and related components, one can refer to the the Dual-use Items Export Control List of the People’s Republic of China, which came into effect on December 1 [2024]. It should be emphasized that the Chinese government adheres to the philosophy of balancing development and security. It supports Chinese enterprises in conducting international trade and cooperation in civilian drones while firmly opposing the misuse of civilian drones for non-peaceful purposes. This approach not only helps fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation but also ensures the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains. (Ministry of Commerce Regular Press Conference_December 12, 2024)
10月10日，内地与澳门共同签署了《关于修订＜CEPA服务贸易协议＞的协议二》。此次修订在医疗、金融、科创、旅游等澳门重点发展的领域，进一步降低或取消对澳门服务提供者的准入门槛；部分开放措施将在大湾区率先实施，进一步推进粤港澳大湾区机制对接、规则衔接。
On October 10 [2024], the mainland and Macao jointly signed the second agreement on amendment to the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement on Trade in Services. This amendment further reduces or eliminates entry barriers for Macao service providers in key development areas of Macao such as healthcare, finance, science and technology innovation, and tourism. Certain liberalization measures will be implemented first in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to further align rules and systems in the Greater Bay Area. (Ministry of Commerce Regular Press Conference_December 12, 2024)
Event quote:
建设国家级经开区是中国推进改革开放的重要举措。2024年是首批国家级经开区设立40周年。习近平总书记作出重要指示，充分体现了党中央对国家级经开区工作的高度重视。商务部将会同相关部门和地方，深入学习贯彻习近平总书记重要指示精神，从以下四个方面推动国家级经开区高质量发展。一是打造体制机制改革创新的试验田。抓紧出台国家级经开区高质量发展政策，支持国家级经开区深化改革，打造管理体制新优势，全面激发内生动力和创新活力。二是当好推进高水平对外开放的先行者。支持国家级经开区做好高水平招商引资工作，继续办好开发区对话500强、产业转移对接会等“投资中国”品牌活动。支持积极参与高质量共建“一带一路”，扩展国际合作。三是建设因地制宜发展新质生产力的示范区。加快培育一批战略性新兴产业集群和世界级先进制造业集群，推动产业高端化、绿色化和数字化，支持布局数字产业、未来产业。四是争做推动区域开放和区域协调发展的排头兵。深化国家级经开区间结对帮扶和合作共建，促进产业链和供应链上下游合作，推动产业有序转移和承接，强化以东带西、以南促北，为区域协同发展和推动新型城镇化提供强大动力。
Building state-level economic and technological development zones is an important measure for China to advance reform and opening up. 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China’s first group of state-level economic and technological development zones. General Secretary Xi Jinping has given important instructions, fully demonstrating the high regard of the CPC Central Committee for the work of state-level economic and technological development zones. The Ministry of Commerce stands ready to work together with relevant departments and localities to study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and promote the high-quality development of state-level economic and technological development zones from the following four aspects. Firstly, create testing grounds for institutional and systemic innovation reforms. We will expedite the introduction of policies for high-quality development in state-level economic and technological development zones, support the zones in deepening reforms, build new advantages in management systems, and comprehensively stimulate intrinsic momentum and innovative vitality. Secondly, encourage development zones as pioneers in advancing high-standard opening up. We will support state-level economic and technological development zones in conducting high-level investment attraction work, continue to host signature activities of “Invest in China” such as dialogues with Fortune 500 companies and industry transfer matchmaking meetings. We also support active participation in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expanding international cooperation. Thirdly, construct demonstration zones for developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions. We will accelerate the cultivation of strategic emerging industry clusters and world-class advanced manufacturing clusters, promote high-end, green, and digital development, and support the planing of digital industries and future industries. Fourthly, promote development zones as vanguards of regional opening up and coordinated development. We will further encourage pairing assistance and joint construction among state-level economic and technological development zones, promote cooperation along the upstream and downstream of industrial chains and supply chains, facilitate the orderly transfer and reception of industries, and strengthen the eastern regions’ support for the western regions and the southern regions’ support for the northern regions, providing strong impetus for regional coordinated development and new-type urbanization. (Ministry of Commerce Regular Press Conference_December 12, 2024)
Previous PRC history of the term:
♦ 国家级经开区是我国对外开放的重要载体，一直以来发挥着先行先试和引领作用。近期公布的考核评价结果显示，2022年，230家国家级经开区实现地区生产总值14万亿元，同比增长5.6%，占全国的12%。实际使用外资432亿美元，同比增长11.5%，占全国的23%。进出口总额10.3万亿元，同比增长15%，占全国的25%。总的来看，国家级经开区的主要指标均保持增长，增速高于全国平均水平，占全国比重进一步提升，为巩固外贸外资基本盘做出了重要贡献。2024年是首批国家级经开区设立40周年。40年整装再出发。我们将推动国家级经开区再上新台阶。一是总结经验。在宣传总结40年建设经验与发展成就基础上，加强宏观指导，推动高水平开放、高质量发展。二是分类指导。支持东部地区国家级经开区在巩固外贸外资基本盘方面发挥“主力军”作用，提升中西部地区国家级经开区承接产业转移能力，促进东北地区国家级经开区创新提升。三是动态管理。建立长效机制，完善升级、考核、退出全周期管理，全面提升发展质量和水平。
As important pacesetters of China’s opening up, the national economic development zones have been playing a trailblazing and leading role. According to a recently released assessment and evaluation report, in 2022, the GDP of the 230 national economic development zones reached RMB14 trillion, up 5.6% year on year, accounting for 12% of the China’s total. The paid-in FDI amounted to USD43.2 billion, up 11.5% year on year, accounting for 23% of the country’s total. Imports and exports totaled RMB10.3 trillion, up 15% year on year, accounting for 25% of the country. In general, the main indicators of the national economic development zones have maintained growth with a rate higher than the national average, and the proportion further increased, making important contributions to consolidating the fundamentals of foreign trade and foreign investment. 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the first national economic development zones. We will take national economic development zones to a new level. First, stocktaking. On the basis of taking stock of and making public the 40 years of development experience and achievements, we will strengthen macro guidance and promote high-level opening up and high-quality development. Second, differentiated guidance. We will support the national economic development zones in the eastern region in playing a main role in consolidating the fundamentals of foreign trade and foreign investment, improve the capacity of those in the central and western regions to undertake industrial transfer, and promote innovation and upgrading of such zones in the northeastern region. Third, dynamic management. We will establish a long-term mechanism to improve the full-cycle management of upgrading, assessment, and exit, and comprehensively improve the quality and level of development. (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference_December 28, 2023)
♦ 发挥好外贸转型升级基地、跨境电子商务综合试验区、进口贸易促进创新示范区、边民互市贸易落地加工试点等外贸示范试点平台，国家级经开区等投资促进平台，以及自贸试验区、自由贸易港等高水平开放平台带动作用，持续优化营商环境，不断提升贸易自由化便利化水平，提升对全球资源要素的吸引力，拓展外贸产业空间。
We will leverage the leading role of foreign trade transformation and upgrading bases, cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones, import trade promotion innovation demonstration zones, border trade processing pilot projects and other foreign trade demonstration pilot programs, the national economic development zones, and other investment promotion platforms, as well as the pilot free trade zones, the free trade port, and other high-level opening up platforms. We will continue to optimize the business environment, constantly improve the level of trade liberalization and facilitation, enhance the attractiveness of global resources and expand the space for the foreign trade industry. (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference_ May 26, 2022)
♦ 我们注意到，商务部公布了2021年国家级经开区综合发展水平考核评价排名前30的国家级经开区名单和利用外资、对外贸易排名前10名的国家级经开区名单，
We noticed that MOFCOM published a list of the top 30 national-level economic development zones (NEDZs) in the 2021 NEDZ comprehensive development assessment and evaluation and lists of the top 10 NEDZs in terms of foreign investment utilization and foreign trade. (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference_January 27, 2022)
♦ 从考核评价排名来看，综合排名靠前的30家国家级经开区实现地区生产总值4万亿元，占全部国家级经开区的36%，平均单家超过1300亿元；外贸排名前10的国家级经开区实现进出口额2.7万亿元，占全部国家级经开区的39%；外资排名前10的国家级经开区实际使用外资和外商投资企业再投资169亿美元，占全部国家级经开区的29%。
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We can see from the results that the top 30 NEDZs achieved a regional GDP of RMB4 trillion, accounting for 36% of all NEDZs’ total GDP, with an average of more than RMB130 billion per zone; the top 10 NEDZs trade-wise achieved an import and export volume of RMB2.7 trillion, accounting for 39% of all NEDZs’ total trade; the top 10 NEDZs in terms of foreign investment received USD16.9 billion of paid-in investment and reinvestment from foreign-invested enterprises, accounting for 29% of all NEDZs’ total FDI utilization. (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference_January 27, 2022)
Event quote:
10月10日，内地与澳门共同签署了《关于修订＜CEPA服务贸易协议＞的协议二》。此次修订在医疗、金融、科创、旅游等澳门重点发展的领域，进一步降低或取消对澳门服务提供者的准入门槛；部分开放措施将在大湾区率先实施，进一步推进粤港澳大湾区机制对接、规则衔接。
On October 10 [2024], the mainland and Macao jointly signed the second agreement on amendment to the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement on Trade in Services. This amendment further reduces or eliminates entry barriers for Macao service providers in key development areas of Macao such as healthcare, finance, science and technology innovation, and tourism. Certain liberalization measures will be implemented first in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to further align rules and systems in the Greater Bay Area. (Ministry of Commerce Regular Press Conference_December 12, 2024)
Previous PRC history of the term:
♦ 我们通过CEPA不断加大内地对香港开放力度，在商务领域实施支持粤港澳大湾区建设政策措施，推动香港全面参与和助力“一带一路”建设，支持香港广泛参与国际和区域经济合作。
We have been expanding openness of the mainland to Hong Kong through CEPA, implementing commerce policies for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, encouraging Hong Kong to take part in and promote the Belt and Road Initiative, and supporting Hong Kong’s participation in international and regional economic cooperation. (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference September 30 2021)
♦ 扎实推动京津冀协同发展、长江经济带发展、粤港澳大湾区建设、长三角一体化发展、黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展，高标准、高质量建设雄安新区。
We will take solid steps to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the development of the Yangtze Economic Belt and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta, and ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin. We will build Xiongan New Area to a high standard. (政府工作报告_2021)
♦ 北京、上海、粤港澳大湾区国际科技创新中心建设整体格局初步形成，综合性国家科学中心建设成效显著，产业创新高地建设深入推进，国家自主创新示范区和国家高新技术产业开发区加快建设，生产力布局和创新力量布局实现进一步融合。
We achieved early successes in developing Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into international centers for science and technology innovation, made a great leap in the construction of comprehensive national science centers, and continued the development of industrial innovation hubs. We accelerated the development of national innovation demonstration zones and national new- and high-tech industry development parks, thereby further improving the coordinated distribution of productive and innovative forces. (Report on the Implementation of the 2020 Plan for National Economic and Social Development and on the 2021 Draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development关于2020年国民经济和社会发展计划执行情况与2021年国民经济和社会发展计划草案的报告)
♦ 要支持香港、澳门融入国家发展大局，以粤港澳大湾区建设、粤港澳合作、泛珠三角区域合作等为重点，全面推进内地同香港、澳门互利合作，制定完善便利香港、澳门居民在内地发展的政策措施。
We will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into the overall development of the country. We will give priority to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and regional cooperation in the pan-Pearl River Delta, thus fully advancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the mainland and the two regions. We will formulate and improve policies and measures to make it more convenient for people from Hong Kong and Macao to develop careers on the mainland. (Xi_Jinping_Report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China_Secure a Decisive Victory_October_18_2017)
中国政府一直严格依法依规管控包括无人机在内的所有两用物项出口，并多次发布公告。关于无人机及相关部件的管制范围和技术标准，可以查看12月1日刚刚生效的《中华人民共和国两用物项出口管制清单》。需要强调的是，中国政府秉持统筹发展和安全的理念，支持中国企业在民用领域开展无人机国际贸易与合作，坚决反对民用无人机被违规用于非和平目的，这既有利于履行防扩散等国际义务，也有利于保障全球产供链安全稳定。
The Chinese government has always strictly managed the export of all dual-use items, including drones, in accordance with laws and regulations, and has issued multiple announcements. Regarding the control scope and technical standards for drones and related components, one can refer to the the Dual-use Items Export Control List of the People’s Republic of China, which came into effect on December 1 [2024]. It should be emphasized that the Chinese government adheres to the philosophy of balancing development and security. It supports Chinese enterprises in conducting international trade and cooperation in civilian drones while firmly opposing the misuse of civilian drones for non-peaceful purposes. This approach not only helps fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation but also ensures the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains. (Ministry of Commerce Regular Press Conference_December 12, 2024)