Chinese authorities have decided¹ to set up seven new free trade zones across the country, bringing the total number to 11, as China looks to replicate² the success of previous trials.

我国政府相关部门近日决定，在全国设立7个新的自由贸易区，将自贸区总数增至11个，试图复制此前试点的成效。

The new FTZs will be located in the provinces of Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan and Shaanxi as well as Chongqing Municipality, according to Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng.

商务部部长高虎城称，新的自贸区将位于辽宁省、浙江省、河南省、湖北省、四川省、陕西省和重庆市。

The expansion comes three years after the launch of China's first free trade zone, in Shanghai, to test a broad range of economic reforms, including more openness to foreign investment and fewer restrictions³ on capital flows.

这一扩建计划是在中国第一个自由贸易区--上海自由贸易区建立三年后提出的。该扩建是为了测试更为广泛的经济改革效果，包括对外资投资更为开放，对资本流动的限制更少。

In late 2014, FTZs were approved for Fujian and Guangdong provinces and Tianjin.

在2014年下半年，福建省、广东省和天津市也被批准成为自由贸易区。

With the addition of seven more, China is hoping to press ahead with wider reforms, while allowing the regions to tap their unique geographical⁴ and industrial advantages for further experiments.

通过新增的7个自贸区，我国希望推进更大范围的改革，并使这些地区为进一步的试点工作发挥其独特的地理和产业优势。

"The decision to expand the FTZs shows authorities' strong resolution in advancing reforms and opening up," Gao said.

高虎城表示，扩大自贸区试点范围的决定显示出有关部门推进改革开放的坚定决心。

The FTZs will be launched after necessary steps are taken, Gao said, but he did not give a time frame.

他表示，在履行必要程序后自贸区将启动，但未给出具体时间表。

According to Gao, Liaoning province in Northeast China will focus on market-oriented reforms to transform the old industrial base into a more competitive area, while coastal⁵ Zhejiang is expected to explore trade liberalization for commodities.

据高部长表示，我国东北部的辽宁省将会注重以市场为导向的改革，将老工业基地转变为一个更具竞争力的区域，而沿海的浙江省预计将探索大宗商品贸易自由化。