Regional Unbalanced Development: Theoretical Basis and Chinese Practice

Abstract

Regional unbalanced development refers to a common phenomenon in the process of regional development. China is currently in the process of transitioning from regional unbalanced development to balanced development. Therefore, it is of theoretical and practical significance to sort out the theory of regional unbalanced development and China's practical experience. Representative regional historians and economists have explained the process of regional unbalanced development from the perspectives of historical reality and economic theory, and have developed relevant theories. Pero believed that the significant differences in the foundations of economic development among different regions led to the emergence of regional imbalances. Hirsch emphasized the necessity of imbalanced development in the early stages of economic development, while Myrdal further explained the reasons and mechanisms of uneven growth, as well as how it affects regional economic development. The main manifestations of unbalanced regional development in China currently include: uneven development in the four major regions, uneven development within regions, and uneven development between urban and rural areas. In response to the problem of unbalanced development in China, China has taken measures such as organizing and implementing the poverty alleviation campaign, deepening the implementation of regional coordinated development strategies, and promoting new urbanization centered on people to narrow the regional development gap.