In a world buffeted by economic uncertainty, the Chinese mainland is charting a fresh course with its high-standard opening up strategy. According to the World Openness Report 2025 – published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics and the Research Center for the Hongqiao International Economic Forum – China's openness index surged 29.6% from 1990 to 2024, ranking it among the top global performers.
But this is more than just market access. It's a major shift toward aligning domestic policies with high-standard international rules on property rights, fair competition, market entry and social credit. The goal? A transparent, predictable environment where businesses and innovators thrive.
Take the pilot free trade zones (FTZs), for example. Since 2013, the negative list for foreign investment has plummeted from 190 items to just 27, and manufacturing curbs are gone. For a young startup founder in Shenzhen or a digital nomad scouting new markets, these reforms mean faster approvals, clearer regulations and more opportunities.
Domestically, this approach supports China's shift from rapid expansion to high-quality development. It's fueling next-generation industries, boosting sustainable growth and creating fresh drivers for economic transformation. On the international stage, it's a proactive response to protectionism and geopolitical headwinds – even amid the recent reciprocal tariff tensions with the United States.
China is also eyeing advanced trade frameworks like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). While formal membership is still in progress, the country's unilateral reforms signal its commitment to a globalized future – one where openness and progress feed each other in a virtuous cycle.
As global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers look for stable, innovative hubs, China's high-standard opening up offers a powerful reminder: when institutions evolve and barriers fall, prosperity can spread far beyond borders.
Reference(s):
High-standard opening up: China's path to shared global prosperity
cgtn.com
