Special economic zones established in 1979

On July 15, 1979, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council approved the report of Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Fujian Provincial Party Committee on the implementation of special policies and flexible measures on foreign economic activities, and decided to establish pilot special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen.

On May 16, 1980, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council formally named them "Special Economic Zones."