An aerial view shows residential buildings, roads and greenery in Changxing Economic and Technological Development Zone in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 20, 2026. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang's first comprehensive local regulation on development zones took effect on July 1, providing legal support for their high-quality development.

The regulation has six chapters and 36 articles, covering the establishment and adjustment of development zones, management systems, innovation-driven development, and service support.

It draws on Zhejiang's strengths and local practices, and summarizes experience from across the province in improving regional layout and clarifying development zone functions.

In recent years, development zones across Zhejiang have contributed more than half of the province's foreign trade, more than 60 percent of its actual use of foreign investment and value-added output in high-tech industries, and more than 70 percent of its gross industrial output at enterprises above the designated size. They have become key growth poles for the province's economy.

At the same time, development zones face new challenges in management systems, industrial orientation, and resource allocation. The regulation is designed to consolidate reform outcomes through legislation and address development bottlenecks.

It also reflects Zhejiang's local conditions and focuses on solving practical problems. The regulation aims to improve regional layout, clarify functional positioning, regulate investment promotion, and encourage management innovation.

It supports development zones in carrying out pilot reforms in areas such as reform and opening-up, technological innovation, the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, and high-level opening-up.