More than 100 overseas returnees conducted a mock review of the amendment to the regulations of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone at the conference hall of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee on Jan 3.

Many of the returnees have started businesses or worked in the free trade zone.

Cheng Dong, president of the Pudong New Area Overseas Returnees Association, said: "I have conducted business in Zhangjiang for more than a decade and witnessed the rapid development of the region. To fully realize the potential achievements of the free trade zone, we need to ask a few questions, such as whether the free trade zone has improved the process of business registration, financing and other services for enterprises, whether it has brought development opportunities for enterprises, and whether it has facilitated the business operations of enterprises."

"The Shanghai Free Trade Zone has achieved remarkable results in the five years since its establishment, and the addition of new areas has provided new opportunities for development," said Zheng Yi, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

He added that although the free trade zone accounts for one-tenth of Pudong's total area, it generates three-quarters of Pudong's GDP and has become an important growth pole driving regional development.

Lu Jiade, executive vice president of Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital, said that the current regulations of the free trade zone are mainly based on attracting foreign companies, while other free trade zones or free ports in the world, such as Dubai and Singapore, not only do business in their home countries, but also move headquarters there to provide global services.

"When revising the regulations, could the free trade zone further embody international values and become a free port for international trade to attract global services?" said Lu.

He also said that the current regulations have relaxed the employment permit and examination and approval procedures for foreign employees working in the free trade zone, but there is no obvious open policy for professionals, including doctors and lawyers.

He hoped the free trade zone could further open up services for professional personnel.

More than 100 overseas returnees conduct a mock review of the amendment to the regulations of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone at the conference hall of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee on Jan 3, 2019. [Photo/spcsc.sh.cn]

Cheng Dong, president of the Pudong New Area Overseas Returnees Association, delivers a speech at the mock review of the amendment to the regulations of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone on Jan 3, 2019. [Photo/spcsc.sh.cn]