Jointly established by Jinan University and the Administration Committee of Nansha Development Zone in January 2015, the Institute of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free-Trade Zone Research was founded with the principle of “mutually complementary and win-win cooperation.” It aims to promote Trade Zone in Guangdong supported by Nansha New Town, to be achieved in the 12th Five-year Plan and to upgrade the synergistic innovative competence of Jinan University. The institute is led by a nine-member board of directors, including four from the Nansha Development Zone and five from Jinan University, with the president of Jinan University as general director and two representatives from both Nansha Development Zone and Jinan University as deputy directors. Under the board, the dean handles the institute’s daily operation along with the executive deputy dean; both are appointed by Jinan University. Three research centers are incorporated into the institute: for financial innovation and industry development, the international trade and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau cooperation, and legalized and internationalized commercial environment.