Located in the south of the Yangtze River Delta, Ningbo Economic and Technological Development Zone (NETDZ) shines as a pearl in the East China Sea. Throughout history, the region’s position is not always like this way. A century ago, NETDZ was a poor fishing village in Zhejiang; forty years ago, it became one of China’s first national-level economic and technological development zones. Today, NETDZ has transformed into a hot spot for starting a business.
In traditional culture, “the age of forty” symbolizes one’s maturity, when a person has gained enough experience and wisdom to discern right from wrong. As NETDZ celebrates its 40th anniversary as one of the first national-level development zones, let’s explore the development story of this zone and other development zones across Zhejiang, uncovering the success factors behind their “age of forty” and witnessing the rapid growth of Zhejiang’s economy.
From Wasteland to Economic Centers
When we mention about NETDZ, there were two contrasting images immediately coming to mind, one of barren tidal flats and the other of newly established factories. These two distinct images symbolize the transformation of dreams into reality, taking us back to the past.
In 1984, China established its first 14 national-level economic and technological development zones, with NETDZ being one of the earliest to lay its foundation in October of the same year. NETDZ focused on building the zone’s infrastructure, gradually improving land and supporting facilities. Through the efforts of its investment promotion team and their “Four Spirits”—To reach their goals, they were willing to explore all paths, go through all troubles, try all means, and endure all hardships—NETDZ began its journey of attracting investment. This marked the beginning of Zhejiang’s exploration of development zones.
Ningbo Economic and Technological Development Zone（Photo provided to Ecns.cn）
Over the past 40 years, NETDZ has undergone numerous changes and breakthroughs. In 2020, the Ningbo Free Trade Zone was approved and established. In 2022, NETDZ integrated Ningbo Free Trade Zone, Ningbo Daxie Development Zone, and Meishan International Logistics Industrial Zone. Today, NETDZ has transformed from barren land into a prosperous business center. In the first half of 2024, the zone’s GDP reached 136.56 billion RMB, ranking first in Ningbo across ten economic indicators, with four industrial indicators topping the list in Zhejiang Province.
Meanwhile, other development zones, such as Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone (HETDZ), which was established in 1993, have also been expanding. Over 30 years ago, this area was still a rural expanse, but now, HETDZ stands as an important landmark in China’s innovation map. The automotive brands like Changan Ford, GAC, and Geely have established their presence here, and emerging industries like semiconductors, life sciences, and intelligent vehicles are flourishing.
In 2023, HETDZ’s industrial output reached 331.5 billion RMB, maintaining its position among the top ten of 230 national-level economic development zones in China for four consecutive years.
The success of NETDZ and HETDZ serve as vivid illustrations of Zhejiang’s economic development zones, which have grown from nothing, from wasteland to economic centers. Over the past 40 years, Zhejiang has developed 118 economic development zones, occupying 7.4% of the province’s land area, yet contributing about 40% of the tax revenue, 50% of foreign trade, 60% of foreign investment, and 70% of industrial output.
Soar Into the Sky, Change Mindset to Broaden Horizons
If we start from HETDZ and travel 30 kilometers north, we will arrive at Hangzhou Linping Economic and Technological Development Zone (HLETDZ). Although this zone covers only 77 square kilometers, it has gathered leading enterprises such as Betta Pharmaceuticals, Innovent Bio, Boss Electric, and YunDa Wind Power. The LETDZ has also made many pioneering achievements in smart manufacturing and biomedicine.
Hangzhou Linping Economic and Technological Development Zone. (Photo provided to Ecns.cn)
“In the first three quarters of this year, LETDZ achieved a total industrial output value of 90.559 billion RMB for enterprises above the designated size. What is the secret behind the rapid development of this innovation-driven hub? We fully leverage the advantages of our location and industrial base, designate specialized sectors, and adopt market-oriented approaches to focus on ‘chain master’ projects, forming a high-quality development model for industrial chain investment promotion,” a person in charge of the LETDZ Departmental said.
In recent years, with the acceleration of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, regional competition surrounding technology, talent, standards, and regulations has become increasingly fierce. As key platforms for driving technological innovation, Zhejiang’s development zones have been deepening institutional and systemic reforms, continuously upgrading investment promotion models, and iterating talent strategies, injecting stronger momentum into high-quality economic and social development.
In southwestern Zhejiang, Lishui Economic and Technological Development Zone (LETDZ) has transformed a barren and desolate land into a thriving hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Established in 1993, LETDZ has adhered to the strategy of “top-shelf industries + industrial chain,” breaking conventional mindsets, overcoming path dependency, iterating investment promotion concepts, and innovating tools and methods. With high-quality projects landing and talent flocking in, LETDZ achieved a 14% year-on-year growth in fixed asset investment in the first quarter of 2023, maintaining the fastest growth rate in Lishui City for 29 consecutive months. Additionally, it climbed 78th in the Ministry of Commerce’s national economic development zone rankings, rising from 158th to 80th.
In western Zhejiang, Quzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone (QETDZ) has innovatively established five enterprise community service centers, creating a four-tier interconnected organizational system: “Development Zone Party Committee—Community General Party Committee—Grid-based Joint Party Building—Microgrid Party Branch.” This streamlined structure comprehensively enhances enterprise service efficiency, building “enterprise community service centers right at the doorstep.” The initiative was successfully selected as part of the second batch of Zhejiang Province’s “Micro-Reform” projects for optimizing the business environment.
In eastern Zhejiang, the Shengzhou Economic Development Zone, meanwhile, has built a talent and investment advisory committee using local connections, achieving breakthroughs with its “Connect to invest: Hometown ties, intercity capital flows, and allocative efficiency” strategy. Since last year, 36 projects worth over 100 million RMB have been signed and introduced, with a total investment of approximately 42.749 billion RMB.
Haiyan Economic Development Zone guides enterprises to formulate measures such as the “Re-feeding of developing economy” to connect the industrial chain. Fuyang Economic and Technological Development Zone has set up a special service class for leading enterprises, giving consideration to supporting industrial chain enterprises.
After 40 Years of Innovation, We Need to Look to the Future
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China’s first national-level economic and technological development zones. Under the guidance of the “Eight Eight Strategy,” Zhejiang’s development zones have undergone a process of transformation from non-existence to prominence, from small to large, and from weak to strong, becoming a vital window to observe the vitality of China’s economy.
Currently, we are faced with the challenges of a new era. So, how can Zhejiang’s development zones continue to implement the new development philosophy, promote Chinese-style modernization, unleash innovation potential, actively participate in global competition, and advance high-quality development? As pioneers of reform and opening up, innovation remains the core driving force behind Zhejiang’s development zones.
As one of the first batch of “A level student” in national level economic and technological development zones, NETDZ will continue to promote stable economic progress and quality improvement, unwaveringly advancing “INVESTMENT PROMOTION & TALENT INTRODUCTION” strategies to accelerate the creation of a world-class, internationally renowned high-level strategic platform, contributing to the growth of Zhejiang’s economy.
The same as a national-level economic and technological development zone, Keqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone focuses on the integrated development of industries and talent. The zone prioritizes industrial chain-based investment promotion, targeting high-quality projects in emerging fields such as new materials, new energy, low-altitude economy, and artificial intelligence. By emphasizing the talent lifecycle—”attracting, gathering, and cultivating talent”—the zone is accelerating the creation of a comprehensive, tiered high-quality talent pool across various sectors. It is also implementing more robust urban renewal initiatives to optimize infrastructure layout, enhance the business environment, and deepen the integrated development of industries, cities, and people. These efforts are driving a new wave of economic growth and transformation in the region.
Looking back the journey we had and forward our future, Zhejiang’s development zones are poised to act as pioneers of reform and opening-up at the provincial level. We aim to further refine high-level opening-up mechanisms, actively participate in the high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, expand international cooperation, innovate investment promotion methods, and contribute to building the “Invest in China” brand. By strengthening the foundation of advanced manufacturing industries, they are pushing for industrial upgrades towards higher-end, greener, and more digitalized development, fostering digital and future industries, and promoting locally tailored new productivity growth.
Over the past 40 years, Zhejiang’s development zone has marked the perfect time to set sail for new horizons. Today, Zhejiang’s development zones rank among the top in the nation in terms of the number of open platforms and the continuous improvement of development quality. By aspiring to new heights and embracing innovation, Zhejiang’s development zones are destined to press on courageously, stand firm at the forefront, and create even greater miracles in the future.
