Skip to main content
Log in

Evolutionary model of free economic zones

Different generations and structural features

  • Published:
Chinese Geographical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Free economic zone (FEZ) has a long history and plays a more and more important role in the world economy. Most studies, however, focused on the theoretical analysis of benefit and cost as well as the economic role of FEZ in the less developed countries and little attention has been paid to the evolution of FEZ. This paper will improve the above-mentioned studies and put forward the structural and spatial evolutionary model of FEZ by analyzing the development of objectives, preferential policy, governance structure, industrial sectors and location of FEZs based on the international economic and political development. FEZs develop towards: 1) more comprehensive and macro objectives, 2) more industry-oriented and multi-preferential policies, 3) more cross-national and combination zones with administrative areas, 4) more technology-intensive and multi-industries, 5) more flexible location and larger spatial dimensions, 6) more rapid evolution and typologies, and 7) more economic integration to the host economy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • BALASUBRAMANYAN V N, 1988. Export processing zones in developing countries: theory and empirical evidence [A]. In: GREENWAY (ed.). Economic Development and International Trade [C]. London: Macmillan, 157–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • BASILE A, GERMIDIS D, 1984. Investing in Free Export Processing Zones [M]. Paris: Development Center of the OECD, 22

    Google Scholar 

  • BOLZ Klaus, DIETER Loasch, PETRA Pissulla, 1990. Freihandels-und Sonderwirtschaftszone in Osteuropa und in der VR China[M]. Hamburg: Verlage Weltarchiv GmbH. (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • BUSCH Berthold, 1992. Sonderwirtschaftszonen als Instrument der System-Transformation [M]. Deutscher Instituts-Verlage. (in German)

  • CHEN Xiang-ming, 1995. The evolution of Free Economic Zones and the recent development of cross-national growth zones [J]. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 19: 591–621.

    Google Scholar 

  • Europäische kommission, 1995. Europa 2000: Europäische Zusammenarbeit bei der Raumentwicklung [M]. Luxemburg: Amt für amtliche Veröffentlichungen der Europäischen Gemainschaften. (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • GRUBEL H G, 1982. Towards a theory of free economic zones [J]. Review of World Economics, (118):39–61.

  • GU Yuan-yang, WEI Yan-zhen, WANG Xiao-hua, 1993. A Panoramic View of the World’s FEZs [M]. Beijing: World Knowledge Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • GUO Xin-cang, 1987. An Introduction to the World’s Free Ports and Free Trade Zones [M]. Beijing: Publishing House of Beijing Aeronautical Engineering Institute, 11. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • HAMADA Koichi, 1974. An economic analysis of the duty-free zone [J]. Journal of International Economics, (4): 225–241.

  • HAMILTON Carl, SVENSSON Lars E O, 1982. On the welfare effects of a duty-free zone [J]. Journal of International Economics, (13): 45–64.

  • KREYE O, HEINRICHS J, FRIBEL F, 1987. Export processing zones in developing countries: results of a new survey[R]. Germany: Sternberg Institute. Working Paper No. 43, ILO, Geneva, 6–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • LI Hai-yan, 1992. The various types of free economic zones in the world today [J]. Special Zone and Open City Economy, (12): 64. (in Chinese)

  • LI Li, 1996. Study on the World Free Trade Zone [M]. Beijing: China Reform Press, 95. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • LIU Yu-chi, 1994. The evolution of the world’s economic special zones and the development choices facing China’s SEZs [J]. Special Zones and Development Zone Economy, (5): 77–80. (in Chinese)

  • MCCALLA Robert J, 1990. The geographical spread of free zones associated with ports [J]. Geoforum, 21(1): 124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MENG Guang-wen, 2003. The Theory and Practice of Free Economic Zones [M]. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 19–25, 45–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • RABANI F A, et al., 1983. Economic and social impacts of export processing zones in Asia: an evolution [R]. Tokyo: Asian Productivity Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • SPINANGER Dean, 1984. Objectives and impact of economic activity zones—some evidence from Asia [J]. Weltwirtschafliches Archiv, (120): 64–89.

  • UNCTAD/Geneva (UN Conference on Trade and Development/Geneva), 1985. Export Processing Free Zones in Developing Countries: Implications for Trade and Industrialization Policies [M]. New York: United Nations, 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNCTC (UN Center on Transnations Corporations), 1990. The Role of Free Economic Zones in the USSR and Eastern Europe [M]. New York: United Nation, 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNCTC, 1991. The Challenge of Free Economic Zones in Central and Eastern Europe: International Perspectives [M]. New York: United Nations, 3–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • VINER Jacob, 1950. Customs Union Issue [M]. New York: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

    Google Scholar 

  • WALL D, 1976. Export processing zones [J]. Journal of World Trade Law, (10): 478–498.

  • WARR P G, 1989. Export processing zones: the economic of enclaves manufacturing [J]. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, (1): 65–88.

  • WONG K Y, CHU D K, 1984. EPZs and SEZs as generators of economic development: the Asian experience [J]. Geografisca Annaler, 66(1): 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Biography: MENG Guang-wen (1960–), male, a native of Tianjin of China, Ph.D., specialized in regional planning and policy, environmental planning, tourist planning and management. E-mail: gwmeng98@hotmail.com

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meng, Gw. Evolutionary model of free economic zones. Chin. Geograph.Sc. 15, 103–112 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-005-0002-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-005-0002-1

Key Words

CLC number

Navigation