As the spring breeze sweeps across the land of the Spring City, a new chapter of dedication and progress unfolds.

　　Shortly after the resumption of work in the Year of the Snake, the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Jinan Area held its first meeting of the new year. The gathering reviewed the achievements of 2024, outlined key tasks for 2025, and mobilized all stakeholders to embrace the new year with enthusiasm and determination, ensuring the effective implementation of strategic initiatives.

　　How will the new year begin with Pilot FTZ Jinan Area?

At the recently convened Shandong Conference on Reform, Innovation, and High-Quality Development, the province underscored the need to enhance institutional frameworks for trade liberalization, investment facilitation, data flow, and post-border regulation.

Additionally, the 2025 Jinan Government Work Report called for the continued advancement of the FTZ enhancement strategy, deeper collaboration within provincial innovation zones, and the development of Cross-Border Digital Service Platform 2.0 to promote seamless global trade in services.

Achieving higher-quality and more advanced development is no overnight task. As the Pilot FTZ Jinan Area forges ahead, it not only embraces forward-looking strategies but also remains steadfast in its commitment to progress, embodying the resilience and adaptability symbolized by the Year of the Snake.

What Lies Ahead for the FTZ?

What are the key priorities for this year?

What milestones must be achieved?

　　The first meeting of the year set the course for Pilot FTZ Jinan Area, outlining strategic initiatives to maximize the benefits of free trade policies and drive high-quality industrial development.

　　Amidst global economic shifts, rapid technological advancements, and industrial transformation, the FTZ stands at a critical juncture of unprecedented opportunity. By pushing forward with bold reforms, fostering innovation in enterprise development and industrial growth, and executing plans with precision and perseverance, Jinan FTZ is poised to harness its momentum and achieve remarkable progress.

　　With strong capabilities and favorable conditions, the Pilot FTZ Jinan Area is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in national and regional development, making significant contributions to China’s new era of reform and opening-up.

　　In 2025, the FTZ will take full advantage of its pilot role, steadfastly deepening reforms and expanding openness, striving for higher-quality and more advanced development.

　　What will Pilot Free Trade Zone Jinan Area focus on this year?

　 In 2025, Pilot Free Trade Zone Jinan Area will strive to achieve “Five Key Freedoms and Conveniences, One Safe and Orderly Framework.”

　　The area will concentrate on building “One Core and Four Key Hubs.”

　　Planning is just the beginning—execution is what truly matters. As spring arrives, it marks a fresh start for progress and innovation. The First Meeting of the New Year serves as a strategic indicator, not only as a mobilization event but also as a signal for decisive action.

　　This meeting is the prologue to the year’s work, but what truly matters is how well the chapter of practical implementation is written. Starting from spring and driving progress through concrete actions, Pilot Free Trade Zone Jinan Area is transforming its "Spring Cultivation Blueprint" into a "Real-World Vision" of reform and opening-up, making even greater contributions to building Jinan into a strong, innovative, prosperous, and high-quality modern provincial capital.

(Reported by Liang Ruixin and Kuang Qiongqiong, Jinan International Communication Center)