如果一国实施全面改革有困难 ,经济特区 (或出口加工区 )是渐进性改革的有益尝试。但有两个限定条件。一是特区应当建立在对外国投资者已经有很大吸引力的地区 ,而且政府的政策导向也是鼓励外国直接投资的。二是经济特区的作用主要在于为全面改革提供范例。中国的情况同时满足了这两个条件。有意仿效中国经验的发展中国家应当从历史的角度来分析中国设立经济特区的经历 ,像经济特区这样的出口加工区在中国以外的国家也许可以发生催化作用 ,但前提是必须具备其他必要因素 If there is any difficulty in implementing a comprehensive reform in a country, special economic zones (or EPZs) are useful attempts at gradual reform. But there are two qualifications. First, the special zone should be established in areas that have already attracted much foreign investors. And the government’s policy orientation is also to encourage foreign direct investment. Second, the role of the SEZs lies mainly in providing examples for a comprehensive reform. The situation in China satisfies both of these conditions. Developing countries intending to follow China’s experience should analyze the experience of China in setting up SEZs from a historical point of view. Export-oriented zones such as the SEZs may play a catalytic role in countries outside of China, provided that they must have other necessary elements