WM/T 16-2025 in English

Background and Significance of Standard Development

With the deepening implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, as key platforms for Chinese companies to "go global," are playing an increasingly important role in promoting international capacity cooperation and advancing the industrialization process in host countries. The release of WM/T 16-2025, "General Specifications for Comprehensive Management of Overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones," marks a new stage in the development of my country's overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, characterized by standardized and regular development.

Led by the Ministry of Commerce's International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute, the standard was jointly drafted in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation and several companies with extensive experience in operating overseas industrial parks. It fully incorporates my country's practical experience in the construction and management of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones. The standard's development process referenced leading international practices, such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's "International Guidelines for Industrial Parks," demonstrating the effective integration of Chinese and international standards.

Analysis of the Core Principles System

The four basic principles established in Chapter 4 of the standard constitute the value orientation and action guidelines for the comprehensive management of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones:

In-depth analysis of the qualification management system

Chapter 6 Qualification Management clarifies the qualification requirements for three types of entities, forming a complete qualification management chain:

Implementing enterprise qualification management

Implementing Enterprises, as independent legal entities completing investment procedures within the Cooperation Zone within China, must obtain relevant qualifications in accordance with China's outbound investment management policies. The standard specifically emphasizes that, in cases where multiple Chinese-controlled enterprises jointly invest in and build a Cooperation Zone, an implementing enterprise should, in principle, be established within China first. This provision helps clarify responsibilities and avoid operational risks associated with multiple management.

Qualification Management of Zone Establishment Enterprises

Zone Establishment Enterprises, as independent legal entities established in the host country (region) to engage in the development and operation of the Cooperation Zone, must obtain key qualifications such as land use rights and resource extraction rights through legal means. The standard requires ensuring that all legal procedures are complete, which involves complex cross-border legal compliance issues and requires the in-depth involvement of a professional legal team.

Qualification Management of Zone Entry Enterprises

Zone Entry Enterprises, as independent legal entities establishing operations within the Cooperation Zone, must complete registration procedures in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the host country (region). Cooperation zones should provide relevant consulting services to enterprises entering the zones. Standardizing this service function will significantly enhance the zones' attractiveness and service levels.

Technical Requirements for Planning, Construction, and Management

Scientific Location Selection

Article 7.1 of the standard sets clear requirements for cooperation zone location selection, emphasizing that countries (regions) with stable political situations and friendly bilateral relations should be selected, reflecting a high level of attention to geopolitical risks. It also requires compliance with China's overall requirements for the country-specific and industrial layout of cooperation zone development, reflecting the national level's coordinated planning for overseas park construction.

Differentiated Industrial Planning

Industrial planning requires full consideration of differences in country conditions, cooperation zone types, resource endowments, and other characteristics, and conducts feasibility studies and risk assessments. This provision mandates that cooperation zone development be tailored to local conditions and avoid a "one-size-fits-all" industrial layout model.

Ecological Environmental Planning

Environmental planning requirements must comply with the host country's (region's) laws and regulations on land use, resource conservation, and environmental protection, demonstrating the responsibility of Chinese companies in prioritizing ecological and environmental protection during their overseas investments.

Standardized Infrastructure Construction

Infrastructure and supporting facilities construction requirements must be based on relevant standards and specifications from both China and the host country (region). This dual standard ensures construction quality and promotes the globalization of Chinese standards.

Innovation in Operation and Service Management Systems

Professionalized Operation and Management

The standards require that enterprises establishing the zone establish a dedicated operation and management organization responsible for the daily operations of the zone, including building maintenance, information collection, and environmental protection. This specialized operation and management model will help improve the overall operational efficiency of the zone.

Integrated Service Management

Article 9.2.2 of the standard details 18 one-stop service items, covering policy consultation, legal services, business registration, finance and taxation, customs declaration, human resources, financial services, logistics, and other comprehensive services. This integrated service model can significantly reduce operating costs for businesses in the zone and enhance the competitiveness of the cooperation zone.

Establishment of a Safety and Emergency Management System

Systematization of Daily Safety Management

Article 10.1 of the standard requires enterprises in the zone to formulate safety management systems, risk prevention measures, and emergency response plans, and establish a safety protection system that integrates human, physical, and technical defenses. This systematic safety management model can effectively prevent and respond to various safety risks.

Strategicization of Production and Supply Chain Security

The standard explicitly proposes, for the first time, strengthening the security capabilities of the industrial chain and supply chain, and enhancing their resilience and security. This requirement conforms to the current trend of global industrial chain restructuring and reflects strategic considerations for the long-term and stable development of the cooperation zone.

Specialization of Public Safety Emergency Response

Enterprises in the zone are required to properly handle all types of public safety incidents, conduct regular training, drills, inspections, and continuously improve. This professional emergency management mechanism can effectively protect the safety of life and property of enterprises, institutions, and personnel within the zone.

Recommendations and Outlook for Standard Implementation

Phase-Based Implementation Strategy

It is recommended that the cooperation zone adopt a phased implementation strategy based on its own development stage: New cooperation zones should fully benchmark the standard requirements from the planning stage; existing cooperation zones can formulate improvement plans based on actual conditions and gradually meet the standard requirements.

Principle of Differentiated Application

Taking into account the differences in laws, regulations, cultural traditions, and development levels of different host countries (regions), the cooperation zone should adhere to the principle of differentiation when implementing the standard. While adhering to the core concepts of the standard, it should make appropriate adjustments based on local actual conditions.

Continuous Improvement Mechanism

Establish a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the implementation of the standard, regularly evaluate the effectiveness of standard implementation, promptly identify and resolve problems encountered during implementation, and continuously optimize the comprehensive management level of the cooperation zone.

International Development Outlook

With the deepening of the construction of China's overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, this standard is expected to become an important reference for the construction and management of international economic and trade cooperation zones, promote the widespread application of Chinese standards in the field of international economic and trade cooperation, and contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The release and implementation of WM/T 16-2025 will provide important technical support for the standardized and standardized development of China's overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, help enhance the overall competitiveness of China's overseas parks, promote the high-quality development of the "Belt and Road" construction, and make positive contributions to the construction of an open world economy.