Constructing the frontline of the 10+1 free trade zone - research on the role of Pan-PRD in 10+1

Abstract

ASEAN-China Free Trade Zone (10+1) is the first free trade zone that China has joined with dominating impact during the integration process of economic globalization. Location-wise, the Pan-Pearl Rive Delta (Pan-PRD) is at the frontline of the Free Trade Zone between China and 10+1. To establish this zone, to depend solely on the Central Government is not enough. It is necessary to form a front through close cooperation between provinces and regions adjacent directly or indirectly to ASEAN. Developing into the frontline of the 10+1 Free Trade Zone is the role Pan-PRD should play. It consists of two echelons: the first consists of Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Hainan and Fujian directly adjacent to ASEAN over land or sea; the second includes Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi which are adjacent to Yunnan, Guangxi and Guangdong. To construct this frontline requires the satisfactory completion of the following tasks. The first is to accelerate the development of free trade platforms in provinces like Yunnan, Guangxi and Guangdong so as to create a breakthrough point for the 10+1 Free Trade Zone.