The Rule of Law in Foreign-Related Affairs in Free Trade Zone Construction

Abstract

As the forefront of China’s reform and opening up in the new era, free trade zones (FTZs) are not only a testing ground for promoting the domestic rule of law but also a pilot zone for aligning with the international rule of law. Over the past decade, China’s FTZs have formed a new pattern in which eastern FTZs collaborate with western ones and opening up is implemented across the board in the areas along borders, rivers, and coastal regions. However, they have also given rise to the issue of coordination of multiple interests such as reform and the rule of law, development and risks. XI Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law emphasizes advancing the domestic rule of law and foreign related rule of law in a coordinated manner. During FTZ construction, efforts should be made to fully explore the compatibility of the foreign-related rule of law with the domestic rule of law and the international rule of law. This entails optimizing the development pattern through coordination between the central and local governments, achieving steady opening up by aligning with international standards, and consolidating institutional innovation through multilateral cooperation. The ultimate goal is to establish FTZs as new heights of opening up characterized by a higher level of openness, a better business environment, and a stronger radiation effect.

Keywords

free trade zone (FTZ) / rule of law in foreign-related affairs / high-standard opening up / business environment / Chinese modernization

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Higher Education Press