A coordinated package of 18 financial measures has been unveiled to support the high‑quality development of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone's Qingdao area. Issued jointly by the Qingdao branch of the People's Bank of China, the Qingdao branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and the administrative committee of the Qingdao area, the new guidelines consolidate a series of financial reforms introduced since the zone's establishment.

At the heart of the initiative is a mechanism branded “Free Trade Financing” (Zimao Rong). Designed to streamline credit access for qualified enterprises, the model draws on a dedicated funding pool—the “Free Trade Lending Assistance” facility—to provide interest subsidies and risk compensation. The goal is to align credit allocation more closely with the zone’s strategic priorities.

The 18 measures are grouped into five broad areas:

Policy coordination to sustain sound credit growth within the zone. Beyond the “Free Trade Financing” model, the framework seeks to establish a more predictable financial environment for businesses operating in the pilot area.

Targeted support for industries where the zone holds a natural advantage. Marine economy, technological innovation, zero‑carbon industrial parks, and foreign trade receive particular emphasis. Financial institutions are encouraged to develop specialised products and service models, while bond market financing is positioned as a complementary channel.

Pilot reforms that deepen the zone's experimentation role. These include the development of distinctive digital currency application scenarios, capital account foreign exchange management trials, facilitation pilots for business operations, and expanded use of the cross‑border financial service platform.

Institutional development aimed at improving cross‑border financial services. Efforts focus on trade facilitation mechanisms, orderly innovation in new trade formats, and more efficient cross‑border settlement systems.

Organisational safeguards to ensure coherence between fiscal and financial policies. A roundtable dialogue mechanism will bring together relevant parties to coordinate policy alignment, information sharing, ecosystem optimisation, and institutional innovation.

The three issuing authorities have signalled continued coordination in implementing the measures, with the aim of translating the zone's policy advantages and geographic strengths into tangible improvements in financial service delivery.