Shenzhen, China's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has developed from a small village in the early 1980s into the most successful SEZ in China with a population over 10 million.

Special Economic Zones are essentially a type of free port. The government reduces or eliminates tariffs to create a favorable investment environment, encourages foreign investment and the introduction of advanced technology and scientific management in order to promote economic and technical development. Special Economic Zones use flexible economic measures and special economic management systems to develop an export-oriented economy.

China's Special Economic Zones include: Shenzhen (2020 square kilometers), Zhuhai (1687.8 square kilometers), Xiamen (1565 square kilometers), Shantou (2064 square kilometers), Hainan (33920 square kilometers).

(China.org.cn September 16, 2009)