Specialization and Coordination: New Paradigm, Theory, and Path for Regional Development

In its new development stage,China seeks to derive new dynamism from reform and opening up at a higher level to boost consumption and services.This process coincides with a further differentiation of comparative advantages across regions.Economic activity and population will continue to concentrate in clusters in coastal and central cities amid a continuous outflow of population from remote areas.Development expansion from coastal to interior regions and from central cities to the periphery will promote a new regional development paradigm of“dual centers and periphery”.Therefore,China’s regional development strategy should follow the new theory of seeking relative equilibrium amid development,identify regions of population inflow and outflow,and explore a new development path of regional specialization and coordination.By deepening market reforms and increasing central government coordination,the country is poised to improve the spatial allocation of resources and unleash institutional dividends in the process of developing a unified national market.

Comparative Advantage and Latecomer Advantage

To achieve development,developing countries must capitalize on their relative advantages,including comparative advantage and latecomer advantages.A country must develop an industrial structure that is consistent with the comparative advantage of its factor structure in order to avoid the trap of“structural catch-up”that stifles development.The issue for developing countries is that their comparative advantage in core factors of production is unstable and tends to decrease and dissipate.Such a comparative advantage cannot provide adequate growth for convergence to occur.Developed countries,on the other hand,can sustain economic growth due to their comparative advantage in high-quality factors.Latecomer advantage refers to the ability of developing countries to increase their knowledge factor in a cost-effective manner by learning,importing,assimilating,and using knowledge and technology that already exist.Although comparative and latecomer advantages may have a combined effect,each has its distinct characteristics.Latecomer advantage is a special development factor that applies to latecomers.It is crucial at all stages of development,but especially so in the middle-income stage and beyond.Bringing latecomer advantage into full play is essential for developing nations to converge with the advanced countries.

Comparative advantages of chemical compositions of specific edible vegetable oils

As important supplementary to major edible oils, comparative chemical advantages of minor edible oils decidetheir development and usage. In this study, chemical composition of 13 kinds of specific edible vegetable oilswere investigated. The comparative advantages of chemical compositions of these edible oils were obtained asfollows: (1) camellia, tiger nut and almond oil were rich in oleic acid, the contents of which accounted for79.43%, 69.16% and 66.26%, respectively;(2) safflower oil contained the highest content of linoleic acid(76.69%), followed by grape seed (66.85%) and walnut oil (57.30%);(3) perilla seed, siritch, peony seed andherbaceous peony seed oil were rich in α-linolenic acid (59.61%, 43.74%, 40.83% and 30.84%, respectively);(4)the total phytosterol contents of these oils ranged from 91.46 mg/100 g (camellia oil) to 506.46 mg/100 g (siritchoil);and (5) The best source of tocopherols was sacha inchi oil (122.74 mg/100 g), followed by perilla seed oil(55.89 mg/100 g), peony seed oil (53.73 mg/100 g) and herbaceous peony seed oil (47.17 mg/100 g). Thecomparative advantages of these specific edible oils indicated that they possess the high potential nutritionalvalues and health care functions.

Comparative Analysis of Rice Export Competitiveness in Heilongjiang Province of China Based on Index Method

Based on the analysis of rice planting and export development in Heilongjiang Province in 2013-2021,this paper comprehensively used three export competitiveness analysis methods,namely,trade competitiveness index,revealed comparative advantage(RCA)analysis and international market share analysis,to compare the four major rice exporters in the world and the three major rice export provinces and cities in China.Besides,it evaluated the rice export competitiveness of Heilongjiang Province from multiple perspectives.It analyzed the reasons for low competitiveness in terms of export product structure,export market structure,production and processing technology,and brand building.Finally,it is recommended to clarify the positioning of rice export quality and take more measures to ensure product quality;improve the level of industrialization of rice production and processing,and extend the rice industry chain;develop diversified rice export markets and improve export flexibility;adhere to the principle of"opening the door and going out",expand the international popularity of high-quality brands,so as to enhance the rice export competitiveness of Heilongjiang Province.

Comparative Advantage of Maize Production in Jilin Province

The comparative advantage of maize production in Jilin Province was analyzed based on the sow area index,unit yield index,benefit index and comprehensive comparative advantage index in this study.The results showed that compared with other provinces in China,there was obvious comparative advantage in sow area index and unit yield index of maize in Jilin,the average of which stood for the first and the fourth in China from 2002 to 2006;there was no comparative advantage of benefit index compared with the average value of the whole countries,the average of which stood for the 14th in China from 2002 to 2006;the comprehensive comparative advantage in Jilin provincial maize production showed significant comparative advantage,the average of which stood for the fourth in China from 2002 to 2006.On the basis of the above,the suggestions to develop maize production in Jilin province had been put forward.

Spatial Characteristic Analysis of the Comparative Advantage of Watermelon and Melon Production in Hainan Province

[Objective] This study investigated the spatial characteristics of counties （cities） with comparative advantages in watermelon and melon production to provide reference bases in formulating strategies for the development of watermelon and melon industries in Hainan Province. [Method] By using the sowing area, total yield, and yield per unit area of watermelon and melon in Hainan Province as research u- nits, the yield comparative advantage （YCA）, efficiency comparative advantage （E- CA）, scale comparative advantage （SCA）, concentration ratio comparative advantage （CRCA）, comprehensive comparative advantage （CCA）, ratio of yield per unit area （RYPA）, sowing area ratio （SAR）, and distribution characteristics of watermelon and melon were systematically analyzed. By referring to the agricultural statistic data of 18 counties （cities） in Hainan Province, indexes for each research unit （i.e., the YCA index, ECA index, SCA index, CRCA index, CCA index, RYPA index, and SAR index） were established and calculated to determine the comparative advantage of watermelon and melon production in Hainan Province. A spatial expression of the research result on a map was conducted by using GIS software. [Result] Seven counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages in watermelon production, namely, Lingshui, Wanning, Wenchang, Dongfang, Sanya, Ledong, and Changjiang. The Eastern and Southern Hainan Provinces had CCAs, and the Western and Northern Hainan Provinces could be reserved for future development. For melon production, four counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages, namely, Ledong, Lingshui, Sanya, and Dongfang. The Southern Hainan Province had CCA, whereas the West- ern Hainan Province could be reserved for later development. [Conclusion] The result has showed that establishing watermelon and melon as dominant agricultural prod- ucts is necessary for the future development of the industry and for the formulation of a layout of regions with advantages, where key support and construction should be provided preferentially with the aim to raise the yield, quality, and market com- petitiveness of products.

Provincial Comparative Advantages of Watermelon Production in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

[Objective]This study aimed to clarify the spatial patterns of comparative advantage of watermelon production in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to pro-vide theoretical basis for the development of watermelon industry in China. [Method] Based on the agricultural statistics data of Guangxi and al over China, yield com-parative advantage （YCA） index, efficiency comparative advantage （ECA） index, scale comparative advantage （SCA） index, concentration ratio comparative advantage （CRCA） index, comprehensive comparative advantage （CCA） index, ratio of yield per unit area （RYPA） index and sowing area ratio （SAR） index were established and calculated to determine the watermelon production comparative advantages in 31 provinces （cities） in China. Spacial patterns of the comparative advantages were produced by using GIS software. [Result] Nine provinces Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Hebei, Hubei, Jiangsu, Hunan, Zhejiang and Guangxi were the dominant regions in watermelon production al over the country. The Central and Eastern China showed the integrated comparative advantage in watermelon production, while the Southern, Northeastern, Northern and Northwestern China can be considered as the potential places for watermelon production in future. Southwest China gave more priority to watermelon production, so the comparative advantages kept increasing here. [Con-clusion] Based on this study, watermelon production should be a prior consideration among the agricultural products in Guangxi. Related measures should be developed to optimize the regional distribution of watermelon in Guangxi and China to promote healthy competition in watermelon production.

Revealed comparative advantage and competitiveness of China’s agricultural products

This paper deals with the competitiveness of Chinese agricultural products, base on the index of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) using lots of data for the period of 1980 to 2003. The index is useful in identifying the demarcation between comparative advantage and comparative disadvantage. The research indicates that some agro-products in China such as edible vegetables and tea have a comparative advantage, but the RCA values have been declining over the 24-year period, which has vast impacts on future reform in China’s agricultural structure.

Research on Comparative Advantage and Typical Models of Circular Agriculture Economy in Eastern and Mid-China Region

Developing agricultural circular economy is the important measures of relieving the pressure on agricultural resources, preserving the ecological environment and promoting the sustainable development of agriculture and rural economy. Based on the idea of circulation of agricultural research as the breakthrough point, the research firstly detailed the concept and scientific connotation of circular egdculture in an all-round way and described and analyzed the advantages and conditions of the development of circular agriculture in eastern and middle regions of China from three aspects including resources endowment, conditions of economic development and industrial base conditions. Furthermore, the research analyzed the model char- actedstics and summarized the successful ex^dence to provide a reference for promoting the models with consideration of Taihu Lake Basin in South of Jiangsu, Yi- meng mountain areas in Southeast of Shandong and hills and mountains region in northwest Henan. Finally, the reseach put forward the development orientation of agricultural circular economy and countermeasures and suggestions to further enhance the level of development.

Agricultural Exports Competitiveness of Pakistan in Global Market

Agricultural sector is a major source of employment and export earnings for Pakistan. Exports of Pakistan are highly concentrated in agricultural products including cotton, rice, sugar and fruit. This study analyzed comparative and competitive advantages of the main agricultural products of Pakistan, i.e. cotton, rice and tangerines. Consumption patterns of top exporting countries in each category were also analyzed. Results revealed that Pakistan had strong competitiveness for export of these commodities. Strong potential for growth in the agricultural sector of Pakistan was found and it could be optimized to raise export earnings and meet the objectives of the strategic trade policy framework （STPF） 2015-2018 of Pakistan.

Comparative Advantages and Specialized Production of Beef Cattle Industry in Yanbian Region

[Objective] To provide theoretical guidance for development of beef cattle industry in Yanbian region. [Method] Aggregated compara- tive advantage index and concentration factor were used to compare beef industry in Yanbian region and Jilin Province. [ Result] Beef cattle industry in Yanbian region had aggregated comparative advantages, and its concentration factor tended to rise year by year. [ Conclusion] The beef cattle industry in Yanbian region has obvious comparative advantages and development potential.

Regional Virtual Water Trade Strategy in Drought Area in China

[Objective]The aim was to analyze the virtual water trade in drought area in China.[Method]Taking agricultural production which was related to water resources as study object and by dint of opportunity cost and comparative advantage theory,water resources have been included into a series of state macro-objective models,such as economic growth,crops safety,and increase of people’s well-fare.Virtual water resource strategy was verified effectively and relevant suggestions on virtual water trade in the drought areas in China were proposed.[Result]Virtual water strategy can be implemented in places where water resource was limited so as to get low-water-demand products and change products with humid areas.But the premise was that the production technology of watery product in humid area was higher than the limited-water area,so that there can be adequate impetus to involve into virtual water strategy program and enhance each other’s benefits through commerce and ease water resources shortage and ecological destruction problem and stimulated economic development.[Conclusion] The study provided scientific basis to solve the water shortage problem in China.

Free Trade and Employment in the ASEAN： From Theory to Empirical

The issue of flee trade and employment has been aconcemed for many countries for a long time. It seems that there exists a tradeoffbetween them. This paper looks back at the theories from the classical economics and discusses the role of free trade in economics. It also discusses the relationship between free trade and a nation＇s wealth, and the problems of free trade we face today. The theory is not challenged in the paper; however, the multi-functional state engaged within the market for full employment is included. The statistics and data of ASEAN are utilized to explain and examine the theory. A few ways of government intervention are introduced and regulations that are detrimental to employment are also discussed.

Construction of Regional Grain Industry Chain and Supply Chain in Yunnan Province

As a southwestern border province of China,Yunnan is featured by the geographical advantage of proximity to the Indo-China Peninsula which is known as World Rice Warehouse,and its capital and technology are ahead of the neighboring countries of China.Therefore,to enhance its support capability in consolidating and improving the national food security strategy,Yunnan should further develop its comparative advantages by building the regional food industry chain and supply chain depending on the province's grain system of production,processing,storage and transportation,as well as its agricultural economic and trade cooperation platforms and channels with the neighboring countries of China.In this study,comparative analysis and related methods were used to systematically analyze the scale of grain production in Yunnan,the proportion of its grain production to the national total amount,the transition of its grain variety structure and the characteristics of its food security system,as well as the grain export trade of the 6 countries in the Indo-China Peninsula from 2010 to 2019.Then,the problems in grain production in Yunnan were clarified,such as the decrease of grain ration production capacity,the decline of comparative benefits of grain production and the insufficient support for agricultural"going global"strategy.Finally,a series of countermeasures were put forward,including further implementing the strategy of"reserving grain in land and technology"to increase Yunnan's production capacity of grain,focusing on agricultural products storage and transportation system to improve the ability to obtain grain from abroad,expanding the border processing and logistics industry,optimizing the policy of agricultural products'import and export,and etc.

The Major Challenges and Strategies for the Development of Green Economy in China's Mountain Regions Based on the Theory of Comparative Advantage

Based on the theory of comparative advantage,this paper analyzes the major challenges facing the development of green economy in China's mountain regions. The results show that in the development of green economy,the mountain regions have factor endowment and development conditions with comparative advantage,but they are also facing more challenges. In the future,the mountain regions need to make favorable development measures based on their own comparative advantages from the following four aspects: at the top design level,it is necessary to ensure green development through institutional innovation; at the regional level,it is necessary to lead green development through the differentiation strategy; at the industrial level,it is necessary to support green development through transformation and innovation; at the social level,it is necessary to focus on protecting vulnerable groups and give full play to the role of women to promote sharing of green development achievements.

Revealed Comparative Advantage and Competitiveness in Chinese Agricultural Sectors

This paper examined the competitiveness of Chinese agricultural products, in relation to the rest of the world, based on the index of revealed comparative advantage, using lots of data during period of 1980 to 2000. The index is useful in identifying the demarcation between comparative advantage and comparative disadvantage, though a problem exits when using it. China is shown to have a comparative advantage in a range of agricultural products, including edible vegetables and tea. This complements the findings of those studies that have used price and cost based on approaches in identifying competitiveness in agricultural products. Results indicated that the RCA values had been weakening over the 21-year period. These have vastly different implication for the future reform in China＇s agriculture,

Empirical Analysis of the Vegetable Industry in Hebei Province

We first introduce the status quo of the development of vegetable industry in Hebei Province,and then conduct empirical analysis of the development of vegetable industry in Hebei Province.Further,we analyze the development advantage of the vegetable industry in Hebei Province using SAI(Scale Advantage Indices) and SCA(Symmetric Comparative Advantage),drawing the conclusion that the vegetable industry in Hebei Province has much room for development;at the same time,we analyze the factors influencing vegetable consumption of residents in Hebei Province through the regression model,drawing the conclusion that the vegetable consumer price index is the main factor affecting the consumption.Finally we make recommendations for the development of vegetable industry in Hebei Province as follows:increasing financial input,promoting policy guarantee capacity;implementing brand strategy,promoting the competitiveness of products;improving the ecological environment,promoting industrialization of pollution-free vegetables.

Complementarity of China-Africa Agricultural Products Trade： Trends and Challenges

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to China-Africa agricultural cooperation and trade, and has adopted a series of measures to promote bilateral trade in agricultural products. This paper analyzes the trends and characteristics of China-Africa trade in agricultural products by using trade statistics, the Revealed Comparative Advantage （RCA） index and the Trade Compensation Index （TCI）. Our findings suggest that the bilateral trade in agricultural products is adjusting to reflect the bilateral comparative advantage. However, China-Africa trade also faces enormous challenges, which reveals itself in a low level of complementarity. Meanwhile, the trade complementarity has failed to improve despite rapid growth of the bilateral trade in agricultural products. Based on the findings, the authors propose the need to further strengthen China-Africa cooperation and information sharing in agriculture to take full advantage of market opportunities and resource advantages.

Evaluation on Explicit Dominance of Production and Development of Crops Based on Theory of Comparative Advantage——A Case Study of Wengyuan County

This article offers an overview of crop production in Wengyuan County:the growing area of rice is the biggest followed by sugarcane and the growing area of mulberry,Sanhua plum and Jiuxian peach is small;the annual output of sugarcane is the biggest followed by rice,the annual output of mulberry ranks NO.3,and the output of Sanhua plum and Jiuxian peach is the lowest,but the annual output of them is very close.In accordance with evaluation indicator system concerning explicit dominance of production and development of crops,coupled with data analysis,we determine the explicit dominance of the main crops in Wengyuan County.The results show that the normalized explicit dominance of rice,sugarcane,mulberry,Sanhua plum and Jiuxian peach in Wengyuan County is 0.23,0.94,0.33,0.22 and 0.46,respectively;in Wengyuan County,the sugarcane is fit to expand the scale,the mulberry and Jiuxian peach are relatively fit to expand the scale,and the rice and Sanhua plum are not fit to expand the scale.

Study on Comparative Advantage of Plateau Characteristic Agriculture in Yunnan

To find the highlighted advantage and development space of plateau characteristic agriculture in Yunnan,using qualitative and quantitative combining methods,comparative advantage of plateau characteristic agriculture in Yunnan is evaluated comprehensively.Qualitation takes Sichuan,Chongqing,Guizhou and Guangxi adjacent to Yunnan and Southeast Asian countries which are opening focus of " bridgehead" as reference objects,while quantitation takes 32 provinces of whole country except Hongkong and Macao as reference objects,and there are 4 kinds of qualitation indexes and 6 kinds of quantitation indexes containing 44 sub-items.Results show that comprehensive comparative advantage coefficient of plateau characteristic agriculture in Yunnan is 1.55,and it has 3 kinds of comprehensive comparative advantages:diversity,ecological security and time difference complementation.The research results could provide references for agricultural development in Yunnan and other plateau regions.