Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, or Qingdao FTZ, presented itself to Japanese investors on July 29 at the China Pavilion during the Osaka Expo, framing the coastal free trade zone as the "close point of contact" between China and Japan. Chi Xiaoli, head of Japanese affairs at the zone's investment arm, informed delegates that the 52-square-kilometer area, approved by the State Council in August 2019, now hosts more than 50,000 market entities. These include 700 foreign-invested enterprises, 187 of which are backed by Fortune Global 500 companies, and 130 Japan-funded companies. The zone also includes 20,000 trading houses, 3,500 logistics providers, and 1,100 advanced manufacturers.
Chi Xiaoli of Qingdao FTZ promotes the zone at the China Pavilion during the Expo 2025 Osaka. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_fb4e087bd207]
Speaking during the "Blue bond · Harmonious and Coexistence" session, Chi said the Qingdao FTZ is drafting tailored incentives for Japanese businesses and encouraged them to "visit, invest and share Qingdao's next wave of growth".
The event is part of Shandong Week at the 2025 Osaka Expo, celebrating the UN Ocean Decade initiative and its efforts for international marine cooperation.
China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Qingdao Area
