Evaluation and comparison of the development performances of typical free trade port zones in China

A free trade port, with elaborate logistics and prominent policy advantages, is a special zone that falls under the supervision of customs and a combination of Chinas port and land region. Resembling free trade zones in form, free trade ports represent Chinas institutional innovation with strategic significance. They serve as an important platform for opening up Chinas economy. As a special area supervised by Chinas Customs, a typical free trade port zone is currently undergoing upgradation and transitioning into a free trade zone. Its development performance is the key factor in this process. In this study, a development performance evaluation system for a typical free trade port zone was established on the basis of theoretical models and empirical research. Six typical free trade port zones were selected in Chinas coastal areas: Yangshan, Yantai, Xiamen Haicang, Guangzhou Nansha, Ningbo Meishan and Tianjin Dongjiang. The development performances of these zones were evaluated using a system built by combining an analytic hierarchy process with a grey relational analysis. Additionally, empirical research was conducted for these six free trade port zones. By comparing the development levels of these zones, the main problems in each zone were identified, and upgrade measures were proposed.