China (Hunan) Pilot FTZ Changsha Area ramps up high-quality development in 2025

The China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone Changsha Area, a 79.98-square-kilometer zone designated as a pilot zone for institutional opening-up and a driver of local economic growth, made significant progress in 2025.

By year-end, it had yielded 92 institutional innovation outcomes, 15 at national level and 53 at provincial level, with four cases recognized as national best practices for FTZ development.

The Changsha area of the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone. [Photo/ changsha.gov.cn]

Driving growth through targeted institutional reforms, the zone has addressed key challenges facing industrial operations and opening-up. It optimized the construction machinery remanufacturing system, reducing judicial disposal time and costs for used equipment, and now hosts nearly 400 remanufacturing enterprises with annual exports surpassing 3 billion yuan ($4.48 billion). It also pioneered a supervision model for hazardous chemical imports and introduced startup visas for overseas students, supporting a total of 15 startups.

A distinctive industrial cluster system has taken shape, covering engineering machinery, airport economy, China-Africa trade, biomedicine and exhibition services. Leading firms including Sany Heavy Industry and China Railway Construction Heavy Industry anchor the high-end equipment manufacturing sector, while the airport zone draws investment in low-altitude economy and air freight.

Changsha area of China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone advances reform of the construction machinery remanufacturing system. [Photo/ changsha.gov.cn]

The zone has expanded opening-up channels via air, land and cross-provincial cooperation. It signed agreements for 176 projects worth $11.39 billion during the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and developed an advanced manufacturing park alongside Hainan Province. Streamlined administrative approval and one-stop talent services have further enhanced its business appeal.

Going forward, the Changsha Area will continue deepening reform and opening-up to contribute to Hunan's high-quality open economy development.