The Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, the first and the only one of its kind in China, has assured US investors and companies that it will continue functioning by international standards, increasing the government's transparency and efficiency in order to retain its vigorous and dynamic operation.

Jian Danian, deputy district mayor of the Shanghai Pudong New Area and the deputy chairman of the zone, led a delegation composed of officials and investors from Shanghai to the San Francisco Bay Area on Oct 15 for a broad-scale business pitch to the local business community.

It was the second visit by the same delegation to San Francisco in six months, Jian said, adding that the zone keeps up its search for global partners to come and launch more international joint business ventures.

"On our radar screen, San Francisco is the most sparkling spot for the zone to initiate brand-new cooperative efforts, beyond our already profound sister-city relationship," Jian said.

James Fang, who, as chairman of the San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee, has over the years been promoting bilateral relationships across various sectors, said the delegation was in town to deepen two-way exchanges.

"With the economic powerhouses that both Shanghai and San Francisco are, it's truly a marriage made in heaven in which not only San Francisco and American initiatives find opportunities in Shanghai, but Shanghai, through the zone, introduces opportunities to American and Bay Area companies over here," Fang said.

Established in 2013 under the approval of the State Council, the zone plays an important role in promoting reform and opening-up.

Embracing three sections - the Lujiazui Financial Section, Jinqiao Development Section and Zhangjiang Hi-tech Section - the zone explores ways to establish a new system of foreign investment management focusing on pre-established national treatment and a negative-list approach.

It also builds a market environment of equal access for domestic and foreign enterprises, explores and builds new trade regulation systems focusing on classified regulation based on status of goods, as well as promotes the free movement of goods and services, creating an environment of trade facilitation compatible with international practices.

"Literally, anything that is not prohibited by law is presumably doable in the zone," said Jian, explaining how the negative-list approach has helped minimize hurdles and obstacles for business owners to start operations in the zone.