By: Elena Rostova
The old bonded zone model has hit a wall. For years, raw materials came in. Finished goods went out. The domestic market was barely part of the equation. This model drove big trade volumes, but it can’t grow anymore. The 24 new reforms aren’t just small changes—they’re a full redesign for a new economic phase.
Let’s get to the facts. In 2025, China’s 168 comprehensive bonded zones did 7.2 trillion yuan in imports and exports. That’s 16% of the country’s total foreign trade. Pan Cheng, Director General of Customs’ free trade zone department, says reforms focus on four key areas. First, industrial upgrading: bonded maintenance is moving beyond positive lists. Companies will have more flexibility to repair products, do extra manufacturing, and sell to domestic markets. In 2025 alone, maintenance businesses in these zones hit 375.73 billion yuan in trade value. Second, biotech R&D: qualified firms outside zones can get bonded customs codes to access R&D benefits. Third, logistics: support for aviation pre-clearance, China-Europe Railway Express hubs, and international road centers. Earlier this year, Qianhai’s road service to Vietnam linked the Greater Bay Area to Southeast Asia. Fourth, tech: using AI, IoT, blockchain, digital twins to make regulation part of daily operations. Local governments are encouraged to build one-stop service platforms.
These reforms aren’t about making zones bigger. They’re about connecting them to China’s domestic economy, innovation system, and global logistics network. The old model rewarded volume. The new one rewards flexibility. A zone’s success in the next decade will depend on how well it integrates manufacturing, research, logistics, and digital governance into one platform.
Author bio: Elena Rostova, a public policy expert specializing in compliance assessments for governments and sovereign wealth funds.