The State Council has issued the Overall Plan for China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone and officially announced it to the public on April 9, 2026. At this point, China's pilot free trade zones have expanded to 23.

The Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone covers three areas, including Hohhot area, Manzhouli area, and Erenhot area.

The overall plan specifies 19 reform and innovation measures, including innovative development of border trade, strengthening international logistics service functions, improving the efficiency of scientific and technological achievements transformation and application, and expanding external exchanges in multiple fields. It gives Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone greater autonomy in reform, encourages pioneering, integrated, and differentiated exploration in a wider range and deeper level.

Experts said that the establishment of the Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone can give play to the regional advantages of Inner Mongolia, deeply participate in the construction of the the Belt and Road and the China Mongolia Russia Economic Corridor, and accelerate the improvement of border opening.

Wang Xuekun, President of the Institute of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, introduced that the establishment of the Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone will strengthen the connection between border provinces and the domestic hinterland, enhance cooperation between ports and coastal and inland ports, and play an important role in promoting the well-being of ethnic minority areas in border areas and turning northern Xinjiang into a new frontier of openness.

This article was reprinted from CCTV News Network

Editor/Gao Xue