A disaggregate analysis of China's regional development

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During China's transition from a planned to a market economy, significant regional imbalances emerged. While historical factors contribute to these disparities, relying solely on national average growth can be misleading given China's vast size and economic performance. This work comprises four research articles that explore regional development, focusing on economic integration, regional inequality, and political development. The first article analyzes how political and cultural boundaries contribute to economic fragmentation using prefectural level data. Building on this, the second article investigates the role of provincial capitals in shaping regional inequality and economic growth within provinces, emphasizing spatial agglomeration. The third article introduces a supplementary measure of economic polarization to further examine inequality through spatially customized schemes. Additionally, the fourth article challenges the conventional view that economic growth is the primary criterion for cadre promotions, instead highlighting the significance of political presence in regional development by analyzing the career trajectories of leading cadres. Together, these articles provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics influencing regional disparities in China.