Firsts in Wenzhou

Beginning with the nation's era of reform and opening-up in 1978, the private economy of Wenzhou boomed, accelerating the city's economic development and led the way for China in several areas:

1980: Wenzhou issued the first privately or individually owned business license in China.

1983: Yongjiaqiaotou Button Market was found, known as the "first button market of the East".