China Ministry of Commerce reports record growth in national-level development zones

The Ministry of Commerce announced that the 2025 assessment of 228 national-level economic and technological development zones showed continued expansion. In 2024 these zones generated 15.4 trillion yuan in GDP, accounting for 11.4 % of the country’s total output, and tax revenues that represented 25.8 % of the revenue of their host prefecture‑level cities, a 1.1‑percentage‑point rise from the previous year. The number of listed companies in the zones reached 1,096, up 5.3 % year‑on‑year.

Exports and imports combined totaled 10.6 trillion yuan, while actual use of foreign capital hit US$268.4 billion, together making up roughly a quarter of China’s total foreign trade and investment. The zones now host more than 11 million foreign‑trade enterprises and over 7 million foreign‑invested firms. Innovation capacity is bolstered by 708 national‑level incubators and maker spaces, 190,000 provincial‑or‑higher research institutions and 80,000 high‑tech enterprises. Notably, Jiangsu’s 27 zones contain 585 advanced‑level smart factories, one‑third of the province’s total. The zones also expanded regional cooperation, adding 99 joint projects with central‑west counterparts and increasing assistance to Xinjiang, Tibet and border development areas.

The ministry said it will further refine the evaluation index system and dynamic management mechanisms to sustain innovation momentum and promote high‑quality development across the zones.