Spatio-temporal evolution of port opening in China's 40 years of reform and opening-up period

Abstract

In the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, China has developed from an economically closed country to a country that is highly dependent on foreign trade. From the perspective of spatiotemporal evolution, we analyze how port opening promoted China's reform and opening-up process. First, the port development process is divided into four periods. In the start-up period, the pilot open port policy created a platform for foreign cooperation and exchange. During the expansion period, port openings promoted the continuous optimization of the trade structure. In the cooperation period, port openings corresponded with the adjustment of China's overall industrial structure. During the optimization period, port openings provided guarantees for the implementation of a national development strategy. Second, we analyze the distribution of ports and their relationship with cross-border logistics and passenger flow. Based on data of foreign trade and passenger flow, a port openness degree measurement model includes port logistics intensity, passenger flow intensity and port city foreign-trade volume is constructed. There are significant types, geographical differences and grade differences of ports' openness.

The spatial spillover effect and its attenuation boundary of urban economy on port efficiency

“…Port is an important infrastructure for urban development and a driving force in reshaping economic structure. It is not only a hub node for the intersection of land and sea as well as a gateway port for the city to open to the outside world, but it is also an important location for promoting the spatial agglomeration of flow factors [ 1 , 2 ]. The deepening of economic globalization has promoted the development of port functions from traditional water and land transportation node to the global supply chain center integrating logistics, commerce, industry and modern service industry [ 3 ], making ports an important engine for urban economic development and a force support for reshaping urban spatial structure [ 4 , 5 ].…”