Evolutionary mechanism for subregional cooperation: Evidence from provincial subregion in Central China

Abstract

Against the backdrop of regional integration, subregions with border effects have become the bottleneck in securing the sustainable development of cross-border cooperation. Based on the discussion of the subregions and subregional cooperation in China, this article put forward three theoretical hypotheses with eight typical provincial subregions in Central China as examples. Combined with relevant models, variables and data, the study tested the evolutionary mechanism of subregional cooperation. The main conclusions include: (a) internal factors contribute to better provincial subregional cooperation; (b) geographical and institutional arrangements significantly affect subregional cooperation, with the shielding effect being the dominant border effect and (c) spatial heterogeneity of high-tech industries has an inverted U-shaped effect on subregional cooperation.

Territorial collaboration: a novel way to spread prosperity

“…There was also a step change in central government financial assistance from this period, including paying for the construction of massive infrastructure schemes to connect the core and periphery. This was motivated by a broader strategic vision of a highly integrated national settlement system consisting of cities, towns and rural areas that functioned in a way to improve the circulation of people and resources and to restrain growing territorial imbalances and distortions (Zhang et al, 2019). Many other countries have national spatial frameworks and visionary plans that indicate how the future may unfold, but in China's case these plans have gained unusual influence and real traction through deliberate alignment with public infrastructure budgets and proven implementation capacity within the state.…”