Introduction

Abstract

For the past decades, economists and geographers from both developed and developing countries have studied the economic issues either within individual countries (regions), or between countries (regions). Only a relatively small part of these efforts has been focused on the economic affairs of those countries’ (regions’) peripheral areas and even less attention has been given to the structural analysis of economic mechanisms of the border-regions with different political levels and compositions.

This research work is to commemorate all Guos’ ancestor, who guarded the border for his Majesty dutifully, and who is the foremost supporter in my academic career.