Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Commerce has released the construction plan for the second batch of linked innovation zones in its Free Trade Zone (FTZ), aiming to accelerate institutional opening, enhance comprehensive experimental functions, and strengthen coordinated development with national-level economic and technological development zones (ETDZs). The initiative seeks to position Tianjin as a high ground for an open, innovation-driven economy.

The plan focuses on high-level linkage between FTZs and national ETDZs, targeting advanced manufacturing as a core development direction. Over the next three to five years, the city aims to create innovation zones with higher dynamism, optimized resources, complete industrial chains, and strong regional influence, generating replicable and scalable institutional innovation outcomes.

The Xiqing ETDZ will link with the Tianjin FTZ to form a high-tech innovation hub focused on integrated circuits, automotive manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production. Key objectives include upgrading the IC industry, establishing a robust bioproduct system, cultivating emerging industries, facilitating talent and capital mobility, and expanding global networks.

Cross-border financial measures include support for enterprises to establish subsidiaries with Free Trade (FT) accounts, enabling efficient cross-border settlement and investment. High-tech firms can also set up executive shareholding and stock option platforms within the zone, leveraging FT accounts for compliant and efficient participation in overseas listing structures.

The Wuqing ETDZ aims to drive innovation through both institutional and industrial engines, combining FTZ policy advantages with strong industrial foundations. Focus industries include intelligent technology, biomedicine, and high-end consumer goods, with strategic layout for future sectors.

Key mechanisms involve institutional innovation (e.g., cross-border data flows, bonded functions, financial openness), industrial collaboration across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and an optimized environment for talent, finance, and intellectual property services. Banks are encouraged to set up tech-finance branches, enterprises are guided to leverage direct financing tools and IP pledge loans, and FT accounts are promoted for optimized domestic and international financial allocation.

Over three to five years, Ziya ETDZ will focus on green trade and circular economy, aiming to become a demonstration area for sustainable urban mining solutions, green industry collaboration, and new green productive capacities in the region.

Key tasks include building a digital and efficient cross-border recycling system, fostering international-standard R&D hubs, promoting high-value recycling and digitalized green industry chains, exploring collaboration with Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, innovating green finance services, and optimizing business environment through international windows and inclusive regulation. Cross-border finance support will focus on green technology IP valuation and diverse settlement and financing solutions for cross-border technology transfer, licensing, and equity participation.

Dongli ETDZ will leverage FTZ institutional innovations to develop a high-quality linked innovation zone in advanced manufacturing, new materials, medical devices, and automotive industries. The zone will implement a “bonded+” service system encompassing R&D, display, and maintenance, while exploring cross-border automotive data flows and international standard recognition.

Business environment enhancements include facilitating FT account usage for cross-border finance, supporting international recognition of professional qualifications, and integrating with the China-Europe Railway Express to improve logistics efficiency. Financial measures focus on international trade facilitation, streamlined cross-border settlements via FT accounts, factoring services for faster cash flows, and optimized logistics for Belt and Road Initiative markets.

The plan reflects Tianjin’s ambition to strengthen FTZ-ETDZ synergy, accelerate industrial upgrading, and create a replicable model for open economy and innovation-driven development. By combining institutional innovation with targeted industry clusters and cross-border finance facilitation, Tianjin aims to establish high-quality innovation zones capable of attracting global investment and talent, while advancing its role in the broader Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic corridor.