Spatial Organization and Governance of the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone

Abstract

This presentation reports on the organization structure and governance of the Qianhai (Shenzhen), Hengqin (Zhuhai) and Nansha (Guangzhou) new areas of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ). While bestowed as one of the four free trade zone in China, the Guangdong FTZ is essentially comprising of three different entities. These three new areas, albeit locate with the greater Pearl River Delta, have varying degree of socio-economic development. Their spatial as well as scaler features further distinguish them from one another. The presentation further examines the inter-new area connectivity as well as their spatial-economic dynamics with its neighboring entities. It is argued that Guangdong has capitalized on the FTZ strategy to foster economic reinvention, a bold attempt since the introduction of the special economic zone policy.