Economy

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://archive.ph/wip/UcwG0
2. https://archive.ph/wip/HfnGH

Answered by Nathan Attrill, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

To ensure investment and in support of China’s one belt on road initiative the government of Indonesia has developed several Special Economic Zones/business corridors. Indonesia provided four corridors in the BRI; in North Sumatra, North Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and Bali Island.

1. https://indonesiaexpat.id/business-property/government-channel-chinese-investment-special-economic-zone
2. https://bplawyers.co.id/en/2020/03/30/list-of-special-economic-zones-in-indonesia/
3. https://en.tempo.co/read/1199438/indonesia-china-discussing-kuala-tanjung-in-belt-and-road-summit

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Yes.

1. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/singapore-china-to-further-boost-economic-cooperation
2. https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Speeches/2018/10/Keynote-speech-by-Minister-Chan-Chun-Sing-at-the-Singapore-China-BRI-Investment-Forum-2018
3. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/singapore-china-sign-5-deals-to-boost-cooperation-in-economy-11487764

Supplementary Notes

Contact between the Chinese Embassy and the Zhejiang Entrepreneur's association led to an uptick in enthusiasm for Sinovac, despite its low efficacy. Link Link

1. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3138309/singaporeans-chinese-nationals-queue-sinovac-vaccine
2. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/significant-problems-sinovac-vaccine-other-countries-moh-official-105357031.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The project of Hualing International Special Economic Zone invested by Hualing Group Corporation is the largest investment project by China private enterprise in Georgia. A solemn construction ceremony was held On July 7, 2012, in Tbilisi. Link Link Hualing has also strengthened its investment in the country’s manufacturing sector by taking a stake in the Kutaisi Free Industrial Zone (FIZ). This, together with CEFC China Energy’s recent investment in Poti FIZ on the eastern Black Sea coast to build an export hub for Chinese goods and services to Europe and Central Asia, has made Chinese investors vital for the future of two of the country’s four FIZs, and important partners in realising Georgia’s industrial potential. Link

1. http://hualing.ge/language/en/hualing-georgia/hualing-international-special-economic-zone/
2. https://eurasianet.org/undeterred-by-slow-start-georgia-woos-chinese-investors
3. https://research.hktdc.com/archive/201807/485449_en_anting2018Jul12_gen.pdf

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili and Tinatin Khidasheli

Answer

Supporting Evidence

China-led $280 million Kyrgyzstan project abandoned after protests Link [Second respondent]: There is at least one industrial park, the Asia Star Agricultural Economic Zone near Tokmok, that was initiated by a PRC firm and was granted operation by Kyrgyz government.

1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kyrgyzstan-china-investment-protests-idUSKBN20C1HA

Answered by Bakytbek Satybekov and Niva Yau, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili and Mariam Usenashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

A free trade zone has been mooted by Astana in order to stimulate development in the region, based on the successful model of Khorgos. Link Link

1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-silkroad-horgos-idUSKBN18V15Z
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2016/07/26/an-inside-look-at-icbc-khorgos-china-and-kazakhstans-cross-border-free-trade-zone/

Answered by Tatiana Sedova, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Perspectives on the creation of a free trade zone between China and Tajikistan. Link

1. https://mirec.mgimo.ru/upload/ckeditor/files/prospects-of-free-trade-area-between-china-and-tajikistan.pdf

Answered by Umedjon Majidi, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1868102621993487

Answered by Jean Githae, and has been reviewed by Tolera Gemta

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/markets/market-news/kenya-eases-special-economic-zone-rules-to-woo-investments-2274930

Answered by Cathy Wamaitha, and has been reviewed by Allan Cheboi

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.mondaq.com/nigeria/investment-strategy/789338/doing-business-in-nigeria-some-of-the-incentives-available-to-investors
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20210429221958/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/28/c_138589452.htm
3. https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MzE0NzgyOTM3

Answered by Eromosele John Aitokhuehi, and has been reviewed by Lekan Otufodunrin

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. http://french.china.org.cn/foreign/txt/2018-09/03/content_61878784.htm

Answered by Christian Ngnie, and has been reviewed by Fadel Thior

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is an agreement to promote investments. Free zones are not only for Chinese investment because is open to all investments from around the world. However, free zones export 25% to China.

1. https://www.efe.com/efe/america/cono-sur/uruguay-firma-acuerdo-con-china-para-promover-las-relaciones-comerciales/50000553-2738801

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://masfinanzas.com.pe/banca/bank-of-china-peru-empezara-a-operar-este-22-de-julio/#:~:text=El%20Bank%20of%20China%20(Per%C3%BA,sus%20operaciones%20en%20nuestro%20pa%C3%ADs.
2. https://www.icbc.com.pe/ICBC/%E6%B5%B7%E5%A4%96%E5%88%86%E8%A1%8C/%E5%B7%A5%E9%93%B6%E7%A7%98%E9%B2%81%E7%BD%91%E7%AB%99/es/NuestroBanco/Introduccion/

Supplementary Notes

Since 2013, Chinese banks have been established in Peru.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence found.

1. http://spanish.xinhuanet.com/2018-03/23/c_137059245.htm
2. http://www.mppef.gob.ve/33726-2/
3. http://www.sela.org/es/prensa/servicio-informativo/20150825/si/18880/venezuela-establecera-zee-china
4. https://politica-china.org/areas/politica-exterior/china-y-venezuela-impulso-continuidad-e-incertidumbres

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The Incheon Free Economic Zone and other FEZs are aimed at attracting investment from China, though certainly not exclusively.

1. http://fez.go.kr/global/en/area/ifez.do

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

NO for the period from Jan 2020 on, but YES in industrial parks open to all foreign investment, not just from the PRC. The VCP Politburo put forward, in 2018 and again in 2019, two major attempts to establish special economic zones to attract investment anticipated to be mainly from the PRC, through the passing of the Special Zones Act. However, both attempts failed due to strong popular protests

1. https://chinadialogue.net/en/business/11154-public-criticism-pressures-vietnam-to-back-down-on-new-economic-zones/
2. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2149785/vietnamese-see-special-economic-zones-assault-china
3. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Vietnam-s-economic-zones-derailed-by-anti-China-protests
4. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/722691/pdf

Answered by Alexander Vuving, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://psa.gov.ph/psa-press-release-tags/foreign-investments#:~:text=in%20Q1%202019-,Total%20foreign%20investments%20(FI)%20approved%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of,the%20Authority%20of%20the%20Freeport
2. https://boi.gov.ph/investments-promotion/map-of-ipas/
3. http://www.peza.gov.ph/index.php/press-release/139-peza-s-investment-promotion-global-links-widens

Supplementary Notes

There are around 19 Investment Promotion Agencies in the Philippines including PEZA and BOI among others. These agencies provide special incentives for foreign investors. China is one of the top foreign investors among others in the country.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

general policy Link [2nd respondent] The EEC persuades PRC investors to visit and collaborate with Thai industrial development projects. Link

1. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/1996243/thai-government-has-initiated-many-incentive-programs-to-attract-investment-in-sez
2. https://eeco.or.th/en/news/eec-welcomes-chinese-business-group-visiting-thailand-and-collaborating-in-the-development-of-industry-4-0

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The heads of Chinese firms — many of whom have close links to the Chinese government — frequently work through the CPP’s corrupt networks to forge alliances at the highest levels of the Cambodian government. A prime example is Fu Xianting, also known as Big Brother Fu, a former People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officer whose business interests have been helped by his “family-like” relationship with Hun Sen and key members of his inner circle.In 2009, Hun Sen helped Fu and his company win a 99-year lease for a 3,300-hectare concession to build a $5-billion resort on Cambodia’s coast. The government granted the concession after Fu’s company made a series of donations to Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit, a 3,000-strong private army. The intertwining of private Chinese companies with the state and ruling party, and the willingness of these companies to work through the party’s illicit economic networks, have been important factors in the expansion of Chinese influence…. Link It is open secret that PRC entities are getting favour as US and EU are imposing sanctions after the ban of CNRB and PRC is the only option at the moment for Hun Sen to move forward and it has become an important entity to influence ASEAN. Link In 2011, five Chinese-owned companies were granted economic land concessions (ELCs) occupying more than 40,000 hectares. According to the report, the firms are all believed to be subsidiaries of a single Chinese state-owned company, Hengfu Group Sugar Industry, in partnership with another (Huada) and were clearly set up to circumvent Cambodian legislation that prohibits a single company from holding more than 10,000 hectares… Link )

1. https://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/chinese_malign_influence_report.pdf
2. https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/what-does-chinese-investment-mean-for-cambodia/
3. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2128118/china-pledges-more-investment-cambodia-phnom-penh
4. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/china-pledges-more-investment-cambodia-000116695.html
5. https://www.globalagriculture.org/whats-new/news/en/32618.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

• The exact supporting evidences may not be available but as per the evidences shared in this document so far, during the Najib government the relaxation/removal is more likely. If additional notes help, the influence measure could be ‘YES’ ..“untold stories” of some productive investments which were made within the last four to five years, including the establishment of Digital Free Trade Zone that linked global giant e-commerce Alibaba Group and local players.. Link … there is a unique ‘‘central government–policy bank–state owned enterprise (SOE)’’ trinity that underpins most of China’s overseas BRI projects, while the Chinese state in the context of financial statecraft is often treated as a singular, unitary actor deprived of internal dynamics. Relatedly, it is conventionally held that the Chinese central government is firmly in the driver’s seat, functioning as the ‘‘brain’’ to dictate the external commercial behaviors of SOEs and provincial governments (the “arms”). We found these analytical presumptions and simplifications problematic in the case of Chinese infrastructure overture to Malaysia… Link

1. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/03/08/lack-of-transparency-in-malaysia-china-investment-risks-local-firms/
2. https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/debunking-3-myths-about-chinese-investment-in-malaysia/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

“While Egyptians sank into ever-greater poverty over the past five years, Sisi has poured resources into vanity megaprojects such as building a new administrative capital in the desert 30 miles east of Cairo at an estimated cost of $58 billion. Not only did Egypt not need a new capital, but the site makes it inaccessible to most citizens as well as extremely problematic from a water consumption point of view. The city is being built by a military company with significant Chinese investment. As of spring 2019, the Egyptian general in charge of the project said that some $9 billion had already been spent on the city’s infrastructure.” Link Link "The Chinese business presence in Egypt is concentrated in industrial zones, free trade zones, and financial centers. Since the late 2000s, Chinese firms have shown interest in Egypt serving as a regional manufacturing hub." Link “The two deals will bring more to the SCZone, where the Chinese industrial zone TEDA in Ain Sokhna has already yielded fruitful results and is "a model to learn from," said Gaballah...He stressed that the success of the projects will encourage other economies to invest in the SCZone, which will push the development of the area swiftly, noting that the progress of the Chinese industrial zone in Ain Sokhna has encouraged more cooperation between Egypt and China.” Link Link "China's economic incursion into the Suez Canal industrial zone may seem to be a commonplace foreign investment, but the issue has a worrisome strategic dimension, Egyptian waterways specialist Rifaat al-Arab told Al-Mashareq." Link Link

1. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/09/09/egypt-trends-in-politics-economics-and-human-rights-pub-82677 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/15/the-competition-for-egypt-china-the-west-and-mega-projects
2. https://www.mei.edu/publications/towering-ambitions-egypt-and-china-building-future
3. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2021-08/04/c_1310105703.htm
4. http://www.news.cn/english/2021-09/29/c_1310217649.htm
5. https://almashareq.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_am/features/2021/12/10/feature-01
6. https://beltandroad.hktdc.com/en/sme-corner/industrial-park

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Aqaba economic zone Link

1. https://www.oboreurope.com/en/neom-and-the-bri/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

"In September 2018, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Lebanon on “joint promotion of cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road Initiative for the Twenty-first Century.” The memorandum stipulates the cooperation of the two sides in areas of common interest, including Transport, logistics and infrastructure, investment and trade, energy, renewable energy and cultural exchange between peoples, health and sports. Two agreements were signed for the Special Economic Zone in Tripoli with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Ningchuan Technological Zone. It is worth noting the constant communication between the Chamber of Tripoli and North Lebanon and the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon in terms of enhancing joint capabilities to help launch major investment projects. The memorandum stipulates the cooperation of the two sides in areas of mutual interest, including transport, logistics, infrastructure, investment and trade, energy, renewable energy, cultural exchange between peoples, health and sports." Link

1. https://uabonline.org/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%88/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://beyazgazete.com/haber/2020/12/2/cin-den-turkiye-hamlesi-dev-yatirimla-geliyorlar-5862494.html
2. https://www.sabah.com.tr/ekonomi/2020/12/02/cinliler-160-fabrikalik-arsa-istiyor
3. http://yenierdekgazetesi.com/haber/balikesire_cinden_dev_yat-6540.html
4. https://www.webtekno.com/vivo-turkiye-uretimlerine-basliyor-h109311.html

Supplementary Notes

China has invested in several organised industrial sites in Turkey. Most recently, China’s tech giant Vivo has invested 25 million US dollars in Gebze Organized Industrial Site. Several local and national authorities including government ministers attended the opening ceremonies. Chinese companies and government plan to use Turkish industrial sites for reaching European markets more easily. In 2010, the Chinese government announced that it may invest 5 billion US dollars in Turkish industrial sites. China has also demanded several specific special organized industrial site for its own use only from Turkish government and local authorities for 160 Chinese factories in Kocaeli, Turkey’s industrial centre.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.reri.org.rs/kineske-investicije-u-srbiji-narusavaju-vladavinu-prava/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

China-Uzbek relations began to pick up speed with the appointment of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016. The significant market liberalization and economic reforms implemented by the new president have made the country one of the five fastest growing in the world, giving a boost to bilateral ties as China’s goals for regional development align with Uzbekistan’s economic ambitions. It has also made the country increasingly investor-friendly and more welcoming of Chinese investment than some of its neighbors- Link Creates a new special economic zone and expands the existing one On 13 September 2019, a Presidential Decree established the Chirokchi Special Economic Zone in the Kashkadarya region for 30 years with the aim to promoting modern production facilities for the production of high value-added products and increasing agricultural production and exports. Investors in the new zone will be subject to special tax, customs and currency regimes- Link

1. https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-uzbekistan-bilateral-trade-and-future-outlook/
2. https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/3451/uzbekistan-creates-a-new-special-economic-zone-and-expands-the-existing-one

Answered by Farkhad Tolipov, and has been reviewed by Salome Svanidze

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Zambia played a pioneering role in hosting Economic Zones on the African continent

1. https://www.wider.unu.edu/publication/special-economic-zones-zambia-and-south-africa
2. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/720981495115586647/pdf/115143-WP-PUBLIC-Feb-2016-GTCCS-ZambiaMFEZ.pdf
3. https://core.ac.uk/outputs/302956070

Supplementary Notes

SEZ have been established in Zambia, by the PRC, and it is noteworthy that when then Chinese president Hu Jintao visited Zambia in 2007 he was supposed to open an special economic zone in Chambishi on the Copperbelt Province. He later changed his schedule when fear surfaced that local residents might protest: for more: Link further information could be gleaned from: Link

1. https://core.ac.uk/outputs/302956070
2. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/720981495115586647/pdf/115143-WP-PUBLIC-Feb-2016-GTCCS-ZambiaMFEZ.pdf

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

One special economic zone, Chateauroux, that is faring badly. (see below URLs)

1. https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/echec-du-projet-chinois-a-ozans-ce-n-est-pas-la-fin-de-nos-relations-avec-la-chine-assure-gil-1576320719
2. https://www.lantenne.com/Les-Chinois-debarquent-sur-l-ex-base-de-l-Otan-de-Chateauroux_a18423.html

Answered by Filip Noubel, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Yes, there are one or two designated economic and industrial zones for China in Bangladesh. Also, China is the top foreign investor in the country's different economic zones (EZ).

1. https://www.beza.gov.bd/chinese-economic-industrial-zone/
2. https://www.textiletoday.com.bd/mirsarai-economic-zone-work-full-swing/
3. https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/china-top-investor-in-bangladeshs-economic-zones-1610506680

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

In 2017, there was a pledge linked to the development of a large-scale smart city, Saint Sophia. The mega project foresees the construction of a tourist and entertainment near the town of Elin Pelin. The total amount of investment is planned to reach €750 million. According to the Bulgarian Investment Promotion Act, priority investments benefit from a number of state-granted incentives, including shorter administrative procedures, easier acquisitions of properties, state aid for investments in production and science, concessions for labor costs.

1. https://balkaninsight.com/2017/08/09/bulgaria-extends-support-for-chinese-smart-city-near-sofia-08-08-2017/

Answered by Rumena Filipova and Mirela Petkova, and has been reviewed by Matej Šimalčík

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Fidesz has been subsidising multinational companies - incl. Chinese - for quite some time, and has been particularly keen to entice electronics and automotive manufacturers, with each job created receiving significant public subsidies.

1. https://lefteast.org/chinese-capital-hungarian-accumulation-regime/
2. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/04/WS62c23d8aa310fd2b29e6a1c2.html

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Kristína Kironská

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Se aprobó un acuerdo entre CR y la RPC para promover y proteger las inversiones entre ambos países, lo que implica efectivamente una relajación de la normativa para atraer inversión extranjera directa en CR. Adicionalmente, se planteó el establecimiento de una Zona Económica Especial en el pacífico costarricense.

1. https://www.comex.go.cr/media/5156/china-ley-7994.pdf
2. https://bit.ly/3Q3DWD2

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

"Azerbaijan’s Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat, a retroactively labeled “BRI” infrastructure project, is anything but centrally controlled by China...To date, China has gifted equipment worth about $2 million and, in total, has allocated grants worth around $70 million for the New Port in Alat... With the addition of a new free trade zone, which gained legislative approval in 2018, the size is projected to grow to 1200 hectares (approximately 1200 sports fields). this significant expansion demonstrates the substantial commitment and undertaking by the Azerbaijani government." (see below URL 1) "Azerbaijan’s Port on China’s Road" (see below URL 2) "Azerbaijan invites Chinese companies to invest in its industrial parks" (see below URL 3) "Baku Port closely cooperates with China" (see below URL 4) "ALAT -THE MISSING LINK BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA" (see below URL 5)

1. https://reconasia.csis.org/azerbaijans-port-on-chinas-road/
2. https://1news.az/news/20190905010023490-Azerbaijan-s-Port-on-China-s-Road
3. http://www.news.cn/english/2021-10/28/c_1310273620.htm
4. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/baku-port-closely-cooperates-with-china/
5. http://www.visions.az/en/news/826/333f1152/

Answered by Gubad Ibadoghlu and Vusal Guliyev, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Belarus-Chinese Special Economic Zone To Open In Vitebsk Belarussia’s Bremino Group and China’s Shaanxi Zhongqiao Silk Road Technology Development Company are to jointly develop an “International Silk Road Trade Center” in Bolbasovo, Orsha District, Vitebsk Oblast in Belarus. (see below URL 1) On 5 June 2012, the President of Belarus signed Decree No.253 “On China-Belarus industrial park”. The document establishes a special economic zone in the Minsk region for a period of 50 years with a view to developing priority industries such as electronics, biomedicine, chemical industry and mechanical engineering. (see below URL 2)

1. https://www.russia-briefing.com/news/belarus-chinese-special-economic-zone-open-vitebsk.html/#:~:text=Bolbasovo%2C%20Orsha%20District%2C%20Vitebsk%20Oblast,retail%20trade%20in%20consumer%20goods.
2. https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/414/new-china-belarus-industrial-park-

Supplementary Notes

China provided Belarus with an extensive set of economic cooperation tools, including the flagship project of the “Great Stone” Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park near Minsk, as well as credit lines aimed at developing infrastructure and industry. Belarus has also become a key transit country for rapidly increasing Eurasian railway connections, facilitating 90% of EU-China railway freight trade- Link

1. https://cepa.org/the-belarus-china-iron-brotherhood-begins-to-rust/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Salome Svanidze

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.pide.org.pk/psde/pdf/AGM32/papers/Special-Economic-Zones-SEZs.pdf

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Dr Ammar Malik

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The parliament introduced the two-stage free economic pilot zones in 2014. However, the bill of Special Act for Free Economic Pilot Zones hasn't passed in the parliament, and the reserved favorable treatments never be in effect. In April 2019, the Special Act was edited and introduced again in the parliament.

1. https://misq.ly.gov.tw/MISQ//IQuery/misq5000QueryBillDetail.action?billNo=1030508070200500
2. https://misq.ly.gov.tw/MISQ/IQuery/misq5000QueryBillDetail.action?billNo=1080315070200600
3. https://www.thenewslens.com/article/120234

Answered by Lee Penghsuan, and has been reviewed by Chiang Min-yen

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No publicly available evidence to support this claim in the affirmative.

Answered by Nathan Attrill, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Last year, a Chinese aluminum company announced plans to invest $100 million to develop an aluminum industrial zone in Armenia.

1. https://gop-foreignaffairs.house.gov/china-regional-snapshot-eastern-europe-the-south-caucasus/
2. https://finport.am/full_news.php?id=37512&lang=3

Supplementary Notes

it has not been yet implemented.

Answered by Artak Kyurumyan, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili and Mariam Usenashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence

Answered by Amanda Strydom, and has been reviewed by Chris Roper

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The searches found no evidence that the Brazilian government removed or relaxed regulatory restrictions or established special economic zones to attract Chinese investment.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence that local governments have relaxed or removed regulatory restrictions to benefit PRC’s investments.

Answered by Eloisa Larrea Montaño, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://dialogochino.net/es/clima-y-energia-es/23529-china-construye-la-planta-solar-mas-grande-de-america-latina/

Supplementary Notes

Although they do not account as lifting or reducing restictions, there have been incentives to certain imports (e.g., for reneawable energy projects in Jujuy) in which China was a main partner and investor, and favouring Chinese participation.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. http://www.rediex.gov.py/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GUIA-INVERSIONES-INGLES_BAJA.pdf
2. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/economia/2019/08/24/empresas-chinas-en-asuncion/

Supplementary Notes

The Paraguayan government took various measures to encourage FDI. But the Chinese companies are not the main aim, despite the interest shown by some of them.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Chile has a very strict no-discrimination investment system, in which all competitors must comply with the same regulations and rules.

1. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-14/chilean-lawmakers-push-for-restrictions-on-chinese-buying-spree
2. https://www.fne.gob.cl/en/fne-aprueba-sin-condiciones-la-compra-de-cge-por-parte-de-state-grid/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

This has not occurred. There is no economic decentralization that would allow local governments to make such moves, nor have there been any zones created by the national Colombian government for these purposes.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/estados/AMLO-pone-fin-a-Zonas-Economicas-Especiales-20190426-0026.html
2. https://www.banxico.org.mx/publicaciones-y-prensa/reportes-sobre-las-economias-regionales/recuadros/%7B20867F6A-F174-04D0-9A04-BB846DB7EFC3%7D.pdf
3. https://www.france24.com/es/20200201-mexico-t-mec-reto-crecimiento-comercial

Supplementary Notes

A pesar de que el gobierno de Enrique Peña Nieto decretó la conformación de siete zonas económicas especiales para atraer inversión directa, (de este país asiatico y de otros) el actual gobierno de Andrés Manuel López Obrador revirtió esta medida. Quedando como marco comercial entre ambos países el tratado sobre inversiones firmado por Felipe Calderón en 2006.(Link). Adicionalmente, con la firma del nuevo TMEC, México se adhiere a un marco que dificulta nuevas inversiones de China en la zona de América del Norte.

1. https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/2288/SE_China_esp-firma.pdf

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Not Found

Answered by Shin Kawashima and George Remisovsky, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Not Found

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence of that available.

Answered by Didi Kirsten Tatlow, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence available.

Answered by Frank Jüris, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence of that available.

Answered by Tobiáš Lipold and 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Martin Hála

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence of this.

Answered by Tobiáš Lipold, Amina Celikovic, Selma Asceric, Darko Brkan, Emir Velic, Semir Dzebo, Aldin Karahasanovic and Emir Muric, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

On the contrary, in June 2020 a new bill has been passed by the Polish parliament that increased scrutiny over foreign investments and revised the 2015 bill on foreign investments (link provided).

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20210328051552/https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20200001086/O/D20201086.pdf
2. https://wyborcza.biz/Gieldy/7,132329,26106519,gaz-system-uzyskal-kredyt-od-konsorcjum-10-bankow-w-wysokosci.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is no evidence of central or local government relaxing or removing regulatory restrictions to attract investment or economic participation from the PRC explicitly. The UK has established “Freeports” though this is part of a wider development and does not appear to be targeting the PRC over other countries.

1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878352/Freeports_Consultation_Extension.pdf

Answered by Martin Thorley, and has been reviewed by Sam Hogg

Answer

Supporting Evidence

India has set up SEZ's which in some ways is to compete with PRC rather than attract investments from PRC.

1. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/what-is-special-economic-zone/articleshow/1164460.cms

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Dr. Sriparna Pathak

Answer

Not Found

Supplementary Notes

In 2008, Albania voted in a special law for the creation of “Economic Zones” in order to gain and encourage investments. 9 economic zones, 8 of which were designed as industrial parks and 1 as a free zone were part of a modernization process and transformation to a market economy. The Albanian Ministry of Economy launched 8 industrial parks: • Koplik: The Industrial Park in Koplik, Shkoder, approved on January 4, 2008. With an area of 61 hectares, for industrial production activities, trade, agri-processing etc. • Shengjin: Industrial Park with an area of 3,2 hectares. • Elbasan: Industrial Park with an area of 254,7 hectares in the region of the former Metallurgic Plant. • Durres: Industrial Park in Spitalle, Durres, with an area of 850 hectares, state and privately owned area. • Vlora: Industrial Park in Vlora. • Shkoder: The Industrial Park includes the former industrial center with an area of 137 hectares. • Lezha: Industrial Park of Lezha, proposed by the municipality of Lezha and approved on 27 January 2009. • Tirana: Industrial Park of Tirana approved on 22 July 2009 in Laknas. • And one free Zone “Vlora Free Zone” approved by the government on 11 June 2009. But due to some problems with land ownership, infrastructure issues, ineffective promotional campaign and lack of enforcement of contracts and inventive packages those announced zones were not successful. According to the new law No. 54/2015 that entered into force, the areas defined as “industrial parks” or “ free zones” were replaced by “Technological and Economic Development Area” TEDA which is defined, again according to the law as a “separate territory, a designated area of land or buildings and other immovable properties, developed in accordance with a general plan and provided with the relevant infrastructure for production, industrial development, trade and provision of services, which is estimated part of the customs territory of the Republic of Albania, separate from this territory in terms of fiscal and customs regime and which is governed in accordance with the provisions of this law, other legal and sub-legal acts for its enforcement.” See: Link , Following the new law in 2015, Albania envisioned having only 3 TEDAs: in Vlore, Spitalle (Durres), and Koplik (Shkoder). Then another option has been discussed in regard to the TEDA in Kashar (Tirana). None of TEDAs is effective yet. See: Link and: Link , and: Link, and: Link

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324242126_Albanian_Model_of_Free_Zones_Implementation_and_Implications
2. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/SEZ_WB_2017.pdf
3. https://aida.gov.al/en/business-in-albania/sectors/teda
4. https://www.monitor.al/anulohet-zona-e-lire-e-spitalles-financat-mbyllin-proceduren-per-zhvillimit-e-teda-s/
5. http://www.scan-tv.com/pas-koplikut-e-spitalles-krijohet-zone-e-lire-ne-kashar-detajet-investim-102-mln-euro-5-7-mije-vende-pune-synohen-kompani-it-dhe-automobile/

Answered by Edval Zoto, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Not Found

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Lativia has signed a MOU with the PRC to establish the Silk Road Economic Zone: Link Link Link

1. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/9789813221819_0001
2. http://certusdomnica.lv/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Certus_ZidaCels_2017_EN.pdf

Answered by Una Berzina-Cherenkova, and has been reviewed by Salome Svanidze

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Insufficient data evidence

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Ghana may have at some point have a SEZ to attract PRC investors but current studies does not confirm that

1. https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022278X10000649

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Interview with government officials estbalish no evidence that Tanzania has relaxed or removed regulatory restrictions or establish special economic zones to attract Chinese investment.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Gambia is developing a Special Economic Zone but it with a private organization. While it does seem to mention China, there is the possibility that it could be geared towards attracting participants from the PRC.

1. https://gietaf.com/en

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Not Found

Answered by Filip Noubel, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No such incident occurred.

Answered by Konstantinas Andrijauskas, and has been reviewed by Vida Macikenaite and Linas Didvalis

Answer

Not Found

Supplementary Notes

There has up until now been no public report of such a phenomenon.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Alfred Gerstl

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is no evidence for this claim. No restrictions were lowered for attracting the China-Belgium Technoly Center (CBTC), launched in 2016 in Louvain-la-Neuve.

1. https://www.wallonia.be/en/news/china-closely-monitors-its-incubator-louvain-la-neuve

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Alfred Gerstl

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence exists to suggest otherwise.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Richard Turcsányi

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence exists to suggest otherwise.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Richard Turcsányi

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/cases/245376/245376_1659473_211_2.pdf

Supplementary Notes

It is still worth noting that there was an occasion in the past (2015), when the European Commission challenged some tax exemption clauses in favor of COSCO in the port of Piraeus. The money was retrieved by the Greek state (see the URL above) ; In the past, Greece has supported (along with EU countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands) loosening existing FDI screening mechanisms, but the goal of this was not specifically to make it easier for PRC capital to enter Greece, but FDI in general.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The former North Macedonian government led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who was in power from 2006 to 2016, had expressed on several occasion plans to open such a free zone to attract Chinese businesses. However, this did not come to fruition and individuals from the business sector have told us that the zones were never established mainly due to a lack of Chinese interest at that time. The current Social Democrat-led governments, from 2017 onwards, have not shown public interest for relaxing regulations or setting up special economic zones particularly for Chinese investors.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

It depends how the Afghanistan gain regional trust in making such efforts, particularly in the current political uncertainty under the Taliban-controlled government.

1. https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-and-afghanistan-bilateral-trade-relationship-and-future-outlook/

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Not Found

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://bit.ly/3aiqVVD
2. https://bit.ly/3NRDjub

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No ha sido necesario relajar o remover ventajas fiscales, debido a que a través del régimen de sedes de empresas multinacionales se han atraído compañías tanto de China como de Estados Unidos, que buscan sacar ventaja de los numerosos incentivos fiscales.

1. https://elcapitalfinanciero.com/trece-sem-chinas-han-desembarcado-en-panama/
2. https://elcapitalfinanciero.com/multinacionales-de-china-y-ee-uu-invertiran-24-millones-en-panama/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://ziarulprahova.ro/2011/12/prin-construirea-primului-parc-industrial-chinezesc-din-romania-firma-meteor-international-import-export-baicoi-creaza-500-de-locuri-de-munca/

Supplementary Notes

There are no special economic zones dedicated to PRC investments in Romania. There are only a few very small industrial parks with involvement by small Chinese-owned companies

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Sorin Ionita

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. http://www.infotag.md/interview-ro/292315/

Supplementary Notes

Moldova has several free economic zones, but none of them specifically target PRC entities. The Moldovan ambassador in Beijing however did advertise them to PRC businesses

Answered by Eugen Muravschi, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://ces.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Chinese-economic-footprint-in-Ukraine-1.pdf

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/3445/italy-establishes-a-new-special-economic-zone-
2. https://www.agenziacoesione.gov.it/zes-zone-economiche-speciali/

Supplementary Notes

Italy has established special economic zones, but there is absolutely no sign it has done so on the behest of PRC investment, nor are there signs that these zones have received significant PRC investment

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Sorin Ionita

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. https://www.rvo.nl/onderwerpen/landen-en-gebieden/china/handel
2. https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-883780.pdf
3. https://longreads.cbs.nl/im2020-2/de-handels-en-investeringsrelatie-tussen-nederland-en-china/

Supplementary Notes

No mentions are found in any documents on Dutch-Chinese trade relations

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Sorin Ionita

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No such incident occurred.

Answered by Hernan Alberro, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No such incident occurred. Though they had done so in the past with the Inter-oceanical Channel (see the URLs below).

1. http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/b92aaea87dac762406257265005d21f7/914d10ad15d09a2f06257b9e004c82e8?OpenDocument=
2. http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/b92aaea87dac762406257265005d21f7/914d10ad15d09a2f06257b9e004c82e8?OpenDocument=

Answered by Hernan Alberro, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.