As part of the seminar organized by TEDA, Shirmurat Jepbarov, a faculty member of the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture and Construction of the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction, had the opportunity to participate in a rich and informative program, which included visits to free economic zones in Tianjin and Shenzhen. These cities have become key drivers of China's economic growth and serve as vivid examples of the profound transformations the country has undergone in recent decades.
The most striking impression was the realization that free economic zones have been the foundation for China's gradual and managed transition from a centralized planned economy to a modern market-based model. These zones served as testing grounds for economic practices based on competition, entrepreneurship, and openness to the outside world, which were later scaled nationwide.
China has demonstrated an effective strategy for developing human capital — from large-scale training of qualified professionals to creating conditions for retaining and attracting talent in high-tech industries. Labor is emphasized not merely as a resource but as a driving force of innovative growth.
During the visits, special attention was paid to infrastructure. Powerful transport hubs, modern logistics centers, a well-developed port network, and digital infrastructure form a solid foundation for industrial and investment development. The examples of TEDA in Tianjin and Shenzhen clearly demonstrated how essential well-thought-out logistics are in shaping a favorable business environment.
The free zones illustrate a successful model of interaction between public investment and inflows of foreign direct investment. The state plays a key role in developing infrastructure, offering preferential tax regimes, and providing administrative support, while foreign companies gain access to a vast market, a stable system, and a highly efficient production environment.
In Shenzhen and other zones, a clear emphasis is placed on the development of high-tech industries — electronics, robotics, biotechnology, and IT. Science and technology clusters have been created, closely integrated with universities, research centers, and industrial enterprises. These sectors have become the foundation of a new quality of economic growth.
The Chinese government is paying increasing attention to environmental safety and sustainable development. Examples were presented of environmentally responsible industrial zone design, the adoption of green technologies, and emission control systems. Industrial development is being pursued with a focus on balancing growth and environmental preservation.
A particularly strong impression was made by the architectural and urban planning organization of these areas. The zones are designed with functional zoning, transport accessibility, urban comfort, and architectural expressiveness in mind. Notably, industrial, residential, and business districts are integrated into a unified urban space.
Overall, free economic zones have played a key role in China’s industrialization. Thanks to these growth points, China has been able to accelerate industrial development, attract multinational corporations, adopt new technologies, and boost export potential. This serves as a successful example of how zoning, incentives, and openness can transform entire regions and sectors.
We would like to thank the seminar organizers and the TEDA team for the high level of organization, and express our deep gratitude to our Esteemed President and Hero Arkadag for the opportunity to study one of the most effective economic development models in the modern world. We are confident that the knowledge gained will serve as a valuable resource for analyzing and building our own strategies in economics, education, architecture, and urban planning.
We wholeheartedly express our gratitude to our Hero Arkadag and our Arkadagly Hero Serdar, who create wide opportunities for the bright future of our beloved Homeland!!
