By He Jianwu & Li Shantong, Department of Development Strategy and Regional Economy, DRC; Tang Zedi & Pan Chen, China Institute for Development Planning, Tsinghua University; Huang Yi, School of Economics and Management, Beijing Information Science and Technology University

Research Report, No.97, 2021 (Total 6162) 2021-4-23

Abstract: China’s economic development in recent years is characterized by fast growth in the south region and slow development in the northern part, and in particular provinces in the southwest region are taking a leading role in overall economic development. To find out the reasons for the fast economic development in relevant provinces will reveal significant enlightenments for efforts to accelerate regional economic development. Research findings show that the main reasons for the fast economic growth in southwest China can be summarized as follows. One, the industrial transfer has accelerated the industrialization drive; two, the promotion of opening-up has enhanced the involvement in global labor division; three, the continuous upgrading of domestic market integration has unleashed the potential of trade growth in domestic market; four, the in-depth implementation of poverty alleviation policies has pushed ahead with the development of provinces in southwest provinces in the fields relating to agriculture. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we need to forge ahead industrial transfer projects both from foreign countries and eastern region with the aim of pushing forward the new-type industrialization; we need to further opening-up and foster new competitive edge for southwest region in international competition; we need to promote deep-level industrial coordination and cooperation with coastal provinces in eastern part of China; and we need to push ahead with the revitalization strategy in rural areas and continue unleashing the potential for rural areas’ development in southwest region of China.

Keywords: southwest region of China, industrial upgrading, the gap between the south and the north, market integration