On April 29, the Yichang Free Trade Zone Management Committee and the China Three Gorges University signed the Agreement on the Joint Construction of Yichang Free Trade Research Institute, marking the official opening of the first free trade research professional institution jointly established by the government and universities in the province.

　　According to the Agreement, the core research team of Yichang Free Trade Research Institute is set up by the China Three Gorges University. By integrating the research resources of disciplines, universities and departments, and giving full play to its intellectual advantages in international trade, regional economy, cultural tourism, policy and law, the institute will deeply study the theories, policies and practice of Free Trade Zone development, provide intellectual support for the construction and development of Yichang Free Trade zone. Besides, the Management Committee of Yichang Free Trade Zone will provide guarantees for the work of the research institute.

　　Benchmarking to the assessment requirements of the National Free Trade Zone, the institute will focus on the various evaluations of Yichang Free Trade Zone, focus on the difficulties, pain points and blocking points of innovation and entrepreneurship in the zone, and conduct extensive research on special topics; it will study the advanced experience of reform and innovation in the national free trade zones to formulate innovative work plans for the system of the zone, and it will put forward specific proposals on industrial development and layout, strategic positioning and management of the comprehensive insurance zone, platform construction and support policies.

　　At the same time, based on the Three Gorges, the Institute will implement the concept of "grasping the big protection and not making big development", conduct in-depth research on the development of green industry in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, timely issue the green development index of the Yangtze River Economic Zone, and promote the green transformation and high-quality development of cities along the Yangtze River. (Reporter: He Guanying)