By Jin Yingying

On Mar 21, the China Center for Cooperation on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in BRICS Countries was officially inaugurated in Qiantang district, Hangzhou. The establishment of this national-level international cooperation platform marks a significant step in Qiantang’s deeper integration into the BRICS cooperation framework, positioning Qiantang as a key hub for advancing innovation in global trade rules and industrial collaboration.

Qiantang stands out as one of the few regions in China that combines multiple national-level open platforms, in the form of economic development zone, high-tech zone, comprehensive bonded zone, and free trade zone. The district has made notable breakthroughs in institutional innovation, such as pioneering the “cross-border e-commerce import-return warehouse” model, which significantly reduces operational costs for enterprises. Additionally, Qiantang’s innovative joint supervision mechanism for special inbound items has expanded the scope of imported scientific research materials, accelerating both product development and market access. These best practices will now be shared with BRICS SEZs as standardized models through the China Cooperation Center.

The Center is located in the Jiang Hai Zhi Cheng area, a comprehensive transportation hub integrating land, sea, air, and rail. It is approximately a 30-minute drive from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Once the Qiantang High-Speed Rail Station becomes operational, it will offer an eight-hour direct link to major economic hubs. Moreover, annual cargo throughput at Xiasha Port, located on the second channel of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, has reached 5 million tons. Linjiang Port, Hangzhou’s only seaport, also provides direct access to the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. This robust transportation network positions Qiantang as a vital “gateway hub” for BRICS products entering the Chinese market.

By 2027, Zhejiang Province aims to establish a coordinated working mechanism spanning national, provincial, and municipal levels, supported by a specialized international operations entity.

By 2029, efforts will focus on deepening cooperation between China and other BRICS nations, with enhancements in industrial partnerships, trade and investment, digitalization, and sustainable development.