China's Special Economic Zones and Opening Up (1978-1992)

1. Third Plenum launches “reform and opening” shift

   Dec 18, 1978Labels: Third Plenum, Communist Party

   • China org cn

2. Equity joint venture law creates a legal entry point

   Jul 1, 1979Labels: Equity Joint

   • SPC Court

3. Central leaders approve pilot “special zone” policies

   Jul 15, 1979Labels: Guangdong, Fujian

   • China Daily
   • SEZs China

4. First four Special Economic Zones formally established

   Aug 26, 1980Labels: SEZs, Shenzhen

   • China org cn
   • Shenzhen SEZ

5. Shenzhen SEZ regulations approved and implemented

   Aug 26, 1980Labels: Shenzhen SEZ, Regulations

   • Our China Story
   • China org cn

6. China opens 14 coastal cities to foreign investment

   Apr 1, 1984Labels: Open Cities, Coastal Cities

   • SEZs China
   • Washington Post

7. 1984 economic restructuring decision elevates market mechanisms

   Oct 1, 1984Labels: 1984 Decision, Communist Party

   • China org cn
   • Reform Intro

8. Coastal open economic zones expand the “open belt”

   Mar 2, 1985Labels: Open Economic

   • UPI
   • SEZs China

9. Seventh Five-Year Plan prioritizes coastal development and trade

   Mar 1, 1986Labels: Seventh Five-Year

   • China Daily
   • Five Year Plan

10. 1988 constitutional amendment enables land-use right transfers

    Apr 12, 1988Labels: 1988 Constitution

    • USC China
    • 1988 Amendment

11. Hainan becomes a province and a new Special Economic Zone

    Apr 13, 1988Labels: Hainan Province, Hainan SEZ

    • China Daily
    • China org cn

12. Pudong “development and opening” announced for Shanghai

    Apr 1, 1990Labels: Pudong, Shanghai

    • Pudong Gov
    • Pudong Opening

13. Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour restarts reform momentum

    Jan 18, 1992Labels: Deng Xiaoping, Southern Tour

    • Southern Tour

14. Southern Tour ends, consolidating the 1978–1992 opening-up phase

    Feb 21, 1992Labels: Southern Tour, Opening-up Phase

    • Southern Tour
    • China in Brief