Abstract
The question of equity versus efficiency is a thorny issue that social scientists and decision-makers all over the world, regardless of ideological predisposition, have to confront. At times these two objectives of economic and social development are complementary to each other; but, more often than not, the two are at odds, and there is a trade-off to be made. In the realm of regional analysis, the trade-off is often in the form of faster but spatially uneven development versus less rapid and yet spatially more uniform growth. A complex set of interacting political, economic, social and spatial processes together shape the outcome of this process of choice.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Notes and references
See, for example, Rozman Gilbert, The Modernization of China (New York: The Free Press, 1981), pp. 477–8.
Hu Zhaoliang, ‘China’s Cultural Resources and China’s Geography’, a lecture delivered at Hong Kong Baptist Univesity on 19 February 1997.
For a discussion of the national integration issue, see, for example, David S. G. Goodman, ‘The Politics of Regionalism: Economic Development, Conflict and Negotiation’, in David S. G. Goodman and Gerald Segal (eds), China Deconstructs: Politics, Trade and Regionalism (London: Routledge, 1994), pp. 1–20.
Li Si-ming, Zhongguo de kaigang zence yu quyu fazhan: Guangdong Shen de qishi’ (‘The open policy of China and regional development: the hints of Guangdong Province’). Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences, No. 1, 1993, pp. 135–166.
See also Zhao Ziyang, ‘Yanzhe You Zhongguo Tese de Shehuizhuyi Daolu Qiangin’ (Marching on the Road of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics) (Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Co. 1987).
Li Si-ming, ‘Zhuanbianzhong de Zhongguo quyu chayi: shizheng yanyiu de huigu’ (‘China’s changing spatial disparities: A review of empirical evidence’), In Li Si-ming, Wing-shing Tang, Nan-hung Nora Chiang and Sue-ching Jou (eds), Zhongguo Quyu Jingji Mianmianguan (Perspectives on China’s Regional Economy) (Hong Kong and Taipei: David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Population Research Centre, National Taiwan University, 1996), pp. 19–24;
Simon Xiaobin Zhao, ‘Spatial Disparities and Economic Development in China, 1953–92: A Comparative Study’, Development and Change, Vol. 27 (1996), pp. 131–63.
Western scholars in the 1970s and early 1980s generally thought that China under Mao practiced a pro-rural or anti-urban development policy. However, later works, such as that of Chan and Kirkby, have shown how the hukou system helps to channel resources from the rural to urban regions. See for example, R. Yin-Wang Kwok. However, later works, such as that of Chan and Kirkby, have shown how the hukou system helps to channel resources from the rural to urban regions. See for example, R. Yin-Wang Kwok, ‘Recent Urban Policy and Development in China: A Reversal of Anti-Urbanism,’ Third World Planning Review, Vol. 58, No. 4, 1987, pp. 283–399;
Richard J. R. Kirkby, Urbanization in China (London: Croom Helm, 1985), pp. 1–18;
Kam-Wing Chan, ‘Economic Growth Strategy and Urbanization Policies in China 1949–1982’, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Vol. 16, No. 2, 1992, pp. 252–305.
Zhao and Kwan, for example, hold such a view. See Zhao Xiaobin and Kwan Wing-Kai, ‘Zhongguo quyu fazhan moshi yu konjian celefenxi’ (‘Analysis of China’s model of regional development and spatial policy’), in Li Si-ming, Yat-ming Siu and Henry T. K. Mok (eds), Zhongguo Shehui Fazhan (China’s Social Development) (Hong Kong: Commercial Press, 1995), pp. 17–59.
Fei, Hongping, ‘Qiye yu jingjiqu de guanxi ji qi xietiao’ (‘The relationship between economic regions and enterprises’), Jingji Dili (Economic Geography), Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 23–9.
Chu, David K. Y. and Wing-Shing Tang, Zhongguo quyu fazhan and zhengjing guanxi; huigu yu qianzhan’ (‘The political and economic relations of China’s regional development: retrospects and prospects’), in Yue-man Yeung (ed.), Zhongguo Chengshi yu Quyu Fazhan: Zhanwang Ershiyi Shiji (Urban and Regional Development in China: Prospects of the Twenty-first Century) (Hong Kong: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, 1993) pp. 53–70.
Zhao and Kwan, ‘Analysis of China’s model’ Ho, Lok-sang, ‘Central-fiscal relations’, in Joseph Yu-Shek Cheng and Maurice Brosseau (eds), China Review 1993 (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 1993), pp. 12. 1–12. 23;
Woo Tun Oy, ‘Regional economic development and disparities’, in Maurice Brosseau, Suzanne Pepper and Tsang Shu-ki (eds), China Review 1996 (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 1996), pp. 281–314.
The reference to zhuhou jingji or a dukedom economy was quite popular among China’s economists during the late 1980s and early 1990s. See, for example, Shen, Liren and Yuanchen Dai, ‘Wuoguo zhuhou jingji de xingcheng ji bituan he genyuan’(‘The origin and adverse consequences of the dukedom economy in China’), Jingji Yanjiu, No.3, 1990, pp. 12–17.
Shen, Liren and Dai,‘The origin and adverse consequences’; Zhang Keyun, Zhongguo qyyu jingji yunxing wenti yanjiu (‘Problems of the running of China’s regional economy’), Jingji Yanjiu (Economic Research), No. 6, 1996, pp. 52–8.
Joseph Y. S. Cheng and Wang Ting, ‘Administrative reforms in China in 1992: streamlining, decentralization and changing government functions’, in Joseh Y. S. Cheng and Maurice Brosseau, (eds) China Review 1993 (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 1993), pp. 4. 1–4. 20.
Chung Jae Ho, ‘Central-provincial relations’, in Chi-Kin Lo, Suzzane Pepper and Kai-Yuen Tsui (eds), China Review 1995 (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 1995), pp. 3.1–3.45.
The volume edited by Byrd and Lin provides a detailed account of the various aspects of the township and village enterprises, including the general pattern of growth, the major characteristics of the various types of TVE, the form of industrial organization, including their relations with the various levels of government, and the role of the local kinship network, and so on. See William A. Byrd and Qingsong Lin, China’s Rural Industry: An Introduction (Washington, DC: The World Bank, 1990).
For a discussion, see Jean C. Oi, ‘Fiscal Reform and the Economic Foundation of Local State Corporatism’, World Politics, Vol. 45, No. 1, 1992, pp. 99–126;
and Nan Lin, ‘Local Market Socialism: Local Corporatism in Action in Rural China’, Theory and Society, Vol. 24, 1995, pp. 301–54.
See Woo Tun Oy, ‘Regional Economic Development in Disparities’, in Maurice Brosseau, Suzanne Pepper and Tsang Shu-ki (eds), China Review 1996 (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 1996), pp. 281–314.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1999 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ming, L.S. (1999). China’s Regional Development Issues. In: Teather, D.C.B., Yee, H.S., Campling, J. (eds) China in Transition. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780333983829_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780333983829_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-73134-5
Online ISBN: 978-0-333-98382-9
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)