Spatial heterogeneity of the economic growth pattern and influencing factors in formerly destitute areas of China

Accelerating economic growth in formerly destitute areas and narrowing the economic gap with other regions are essential tasks for poverty alleviation in China after 2020.In this study,the spatio-temporal characteristics of economic growth in 14 formerly destitute areas of China were identified.Moreover,the spatial heterogeneity of various influencing factors was analyzed using a geographically weighted regression model.The results were as follows:(1)The economic level of the formerly destitute areas was low,but their economies grew rapidly after 2011,with annual per capita GDP growth of 10.54%until 2018,higher than the national average of 9.14%.Western and southern counties grew faster economically than central and northern counties.(2)The impact of various factors on the economic growth of counties exhibited clear spatial heterogeneity.The influences of secondary industry growth and level of financial development on economic growth were mainly positive,whereas the effects of initial economic level and market location were mainly negative.(3)Six economic growth driving modes were identified for the 14 contiguous destitute areas,among which the secondary industry-driven mode was the most common.The study can serve as a scientific reference for differentiating regional policies.

Measurement of self-development capacity in the contiguous destitute mountainous areas, China

Affected by the mountainous location and ecological vulnerability, the incidence of poverty in contiguous destitute mountainous areas is higher than that in other regions of China. Regional selfdevelopment capacity is an internal driving force for poverty reduction in contiguous destitute mountainous areas. This study selects 17 indicators from the four dimensions: industrial capacity, market capacity, spatial capacity and soft power to measure the overall self-development capacity of 658 counties in 14 different mountain areas in China. The results show that self-development capacity is at a low level and the development of the different regions is unbalanced. The self-development capacity is low in the southwest and high in the east and "low in the middle, high around" in each study region. It has achieved a certain degree of improvement in 2011, 2013 and 2015. From the perspective of the four dimensions, industrial capacity is the constraint on the promotion of self-development capacity. Based on this, we should develop green industries in line with local realities and achieve industrial poverty eradication, but the expansion of space capacity should take into account the resources and environmental carrying capacity in these areas and should not be blindly expanded. Local leaders should be made to improve the local education level and public service level, improve social infrastructure, develop reserve strength for the future, and enhance future development potential.