Opponents completes name
The opponents to the explosive trial of establishing export-oriented special zones in the coastal cities of Guangdong and Fujian, sanctioned by the State Council in July 1979, never realized their arguments ended up as contribution to the opposed instead.
“What are these special zones? The revolutionary bases in Northwest China in the past were special political zones, not special economic zones,” they questioned.
The “special economic zone” term lightened reformists.
“We all like the name of ‘special economic zone’ because it can better define city functions,” then Guangdong Party chief Wu Nansheng said in a report to the State Council. “These zones need to build commercial and cultural facilities, not only factories.”
Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou were approved to be special economic zones Aug. 26, 1980.