中时深度 | 破界与重构：国家级经开区向“新”而行

Core Viewpoint - The national-level economic and technological development zones (referred to as "development zones") are at a critical juncture for "second entrepreneurship," focusing on institutional innovation to reshape core competitiveness and achieve high-quality economic development in China [2][3][8]. Group 1: Development Zones Overview - Since the establishment of the first 14 national-level development zones in 1984, the number has grown to over 230, covering all 31 provinces, with a total economic output continuously increasing [2][3]. - By 2024, the total number of economic and technological development zones is expected to reach 232, contributing a regional GDP of 16.9 trillion RMB, with 8.5 million high-tech enterprises, accounting for 18.3% of the national total [21]. Group 2: Institutional Innovation and Market Reforms - The recently approved "Work Plan for Deepening Reform and Innovation of National Economic and Technological Development Zones" indicates a fundamental shift in the development logic of these zones, emphasizing the need for institutional innovation to enhance competitiveness [8][10]. - Experts suggest that development zones must increase their institutional openness and foster new business models and dynamics to adapt to the growth of new productive forces [9][10]. Group 3: Differentiation and Collaboration with Free Trade Zones - There is a need for differentiated development strategies between development zones and free trade zones to avoid homogenization and promote collaborative industrial ecosystems [14][15]. - The dual-zone linkage is seen as a crucial strategy for integrating domestic and international markets, enhancing the overall effectiveness of both development zones and free trade zones [15][16]. Group 4: Challenges and Future Directions - Current challenges include insufficient market-driven operations and the need for a shift from government-led to market-driven development models [12][13]. - Experts emphasize the importance of establishing a market-oriented industrial access mechanism and optimizing policy support to foster innovation and growth in emerging industries [10][11].