Construction sites such as this one have been deserted for years in Caofeidian, but that could change after the area in Hebei province was designated a free-trade zone last year. Photo: Simon SongConstruction sites such as this one have been deserted for years in Caofeidian, but that could change after the area in Hebei province was designated a free-trade zone last year. Photo: Simon Song
Construction sites such as this one have been deserted for years in Caofeidian, but that could change after the area in Hebei province was designated a free-trade zone last year. Photo: Simon Song
Economy /  China Economy

Chinese ghost town rumbling back to life as free-trade zone, but is the second time a charm?

  • Some of the construction projects that were abandoned years ago have resumed, with renewed support from Beijing
  • China is hoping free-trade designation makes once-abandoned Caofeidian attractive to manufacturers, in bid to boost the local economy and help curb the impact of a trade war with United States

Topic |   China economy
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee in Beijing

Updated: 5:35pm, 11 Sep, 2020

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Construction sites such as this one have been deserted for years in Caofeidian, but that could change after the area in Hebei province was designated a free-trade zone last year. Photo: Simon SongConstruction sites such as this one have been deserted for years in Caofeidian, but that could change after the area in Hebei province was designated a free-trade zone last year. Photo: Simon Song
Construction sites such as this one have been deserted for years in Caofeidian, but that could change after the area in Hebei province was designated a free-trade zone last year. Photo: Simon Song
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