Hunan-based CPPCC members submitted a joint proposal to the 5th session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, on establishing a China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

　　The proposal assessed the necessity of Hunan to establish the zone.

　　Firstly, it will help to form a new collaborative pattern for the rise of central China, cultivate new advantages of the region in international competition and cooperation, complete a new opening-up system tailored for the region, and explore a new transformation path of its economic development mode.

　　Secondly, Hunan is prepared for the pilot free trade zone. Situated in central China and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, Hunan boasts a complete transportation network with convenient railway (high-speed railway), water transportation, and aviation. The number of its ports and related operation areas tops in central and western regions of China. Institutions of higher education, research institutions, and hi-tech industrial zones flourish in the CZT Two-oriented Society Pilot Zone along the Xiangjiang River, supporting multilevel innovations, and the national “Made in China 2025” strategy. As for industrial sectors, Hunan has a batch of advanced industrial clusters, such as engineering machinery, electronic information, new materials, petrochemical engineering, automobile and parts, and lead and zinc hard metal processing, among which engineering machinery and rail transit manufacturing are particularly highlighted.

　　Thirdly, Hunan has learnt from Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone in recent years. It has expedited customs clearance reform, launched comprehensive service system for foreign trade, and established customs clearance agencies, to further facilitate trade and investment.

　　The proposal also presents the orientation, overall targets, and scope of the zone.