The current review aims to examine the growth trajectory, most influential documents, and intellectual and conceptual structure of the literature regarding information in Shanghai free trade zone (SFTZ). A narrative review approach was performed using 83 documents from July 2022 to October 2022 extracted from Google Scholar and ProQuest platform to provide an updated information regarding the SFTZ and discuss its features and potential challenges as it grows. Several significant reforms have been introduced via SFTZ such as liberalisation of investment sectors and facilitation business registration with 100% ownership, financial advantages, and the talent policy advantage. These have become significant drivers of economic expansion in Shanghai and across the country. As such, foreign investors could benefit from measures explicitly designed to offer a non-discriminatory business environment and, more importantly, create a more level playing field for them and their Chinese counterparts. Although the Chinese government has undertaken many efforts, SFTZ has received negative feedback. The Chinese government continues improving and revising its existing policies to fit Shanghai’s complex and fast-changing business environment.
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