The article is dedicated to the study of the features of free economic zones (FEZ) management in the period of the implementation of foreign policy in the PRC in 1978-2016. Based on the analysis of regulatory and legal documents, special scientific and economic literature, 5 stages of state regulation of the national-level FEZ characterized by various management measures for their development were identified. The main criteria for distinguishing these stages were differences in the goals and objectives of the FEZ activity, their total number and management features (in particular, the tax policy pursued). The most important types of Chinese free economic zones are characterized by the time of emergence, location, the specifics of economic orientation, the role and importance in the foreign policy of the country. On the basis of statistical and economic methods, the trends in the outflow and inflow of foreign direct investment in China have been traced correlating with the stages of the FEZ development. The historical features of the use of administrative and economic mechanisms (tax and customs privileges) for the operation of various types of free economic zones are determined. The sectoral and territorial priorities of each stage of the country's foreign policy are identified. It was concluded that the "open door" policy in the PRC actively applied the tool of the FEZ and repeatedly underwent a change of development models to achieve its strategic goals - modernization of the country's economy and bringing it to the world stage.