This　study　explores　the　application　of　the　complex　network　model　in　the　trade　relations　between　China’s　inland　FTZs　and　countries　along　the　Belt　and　Road　Initiative,　and　analyses　the　position　of　each　FTZ　in　the　trade　network　and　its　dynamic　evolution　characteristics　through　network　measures　such　as　node　degree,　median　centrality　and　diversity　coefficient.　The　results　show　that　China’s　inland　FTZs　occupy　an　important　position　in　the　trade　network　under　the　Belt　and　Road　Initiative,　and　despite　the　low　overall　network　density,　the　trade　links　are　still　close　and　stable　due　to　the　node　effect　and　high　reciprocity　of　the　core　FTZs.　The　interaction　between　the　rise　of　Beijing　FTZ　and　other　inland　FTZs　reveals　the　trend　of　differentiation　and　integration　of　network　associations,　and　shows　the　effectiveness　of　the　complex　network　model　in　the　analysis　of　trade　relations.　This　study　provides　a　new　perspective　for　understanding　the　complexity　of　international　trade　networks　and　offers　theoretical　support　for　the　formulation　of　relevant　policies.　©　The　Author(s),　under　exclusive　license　to　Springer　Nature　Switzerland　AG　2025.