Sustainable Development of the Economic Circle around Beijing: A View of Regional Economic Disparity

Zhaopeng Chu, Changxin Liu, Gang Li and Kaixuan Guan
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Zhaopeng Chu: School of Business Administration, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
Changxin Liu: Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Gang Li: School of Economics, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
Kaixuan Guan: Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: The economic circle around Beijing is a very important area that supports the development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in China. The economic growths of the economic circle around Beijing are deeply affected by the regional economic disparity. Besides the resources and environment problems, economic factors may be more prominent of regional sustainability. The objective of this paper is: (1) To find out what caused the regional economic disparity of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region; and (2) to assess the economic sustainable development status of the cities around Beijing, and give suggestions to narrow the regional disparity from the economic growth view. We used an assessment method based on the economic sustainable index system—the order relation method named G1 method, revised by standard deviation. The results showed that the fundamental reason for the differences lies in the disparity in production efficiency. The disparity in the regional economy increases the flow of talent to Beijing and Tianjin, so the labor productivity of Hebei Province will not improve. Thus, the economic gap among Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin will continue to grow. This negative feedback will further exacerbate the economic growth problem. In terms of narrowing regional disparity, some implications are highlighted. Rational industrial structure, a high level of development in the manufacturing industry, and a high proportion of strategic emerging industries are important for the cities around Beijing to achieve high-level industry transfer, and the technological progress needed to promote economic growth.

Keywords: sustainable development; economic growth; regional disparity; G1 method revised by standard deviation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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