Urban Agglomerations Drive China’s High-Quality Development
China is transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to one of high-quality development. After more than 40 years of remarkable economic expansion, the country is seeking new engines to sustain its momentum. With shifting international market environments and domestic factors, optimizing the economic structure and transforming growth drivers have become essential.
Modern economic growth theory suggests that after the initial stages of expansion driven by labor force and capital, innovation becomes the primary engine of development. For China, urban agglomerations represent a form of innovation that reconfigures economic factors such as population, capital, industry, trade, consumption, and investment across regional, urban, and rural levels.
Accelerated Urban Agglomeration Development
In 2014, China unveiled an ambitious urbanization plan, propelling its urban agglomeration development into a fast lane. The 13th Five-Year Plan proposed building 19 urban agglomerations. These conurbations are designed to promote the free and orderly flow of resources, releasing new economic drivers through coordinated regional development.
The recently released government work report emphasizes support for key regions like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. These regions are expected to play pivotal roles in driving high-quality development.
The Five Pillar Urban Agglomerations
The 14th Five-Year Plan outlines urban agglomerations as the main form of new-type urbanization and crucial platforms for supporting national economic growth, promoting regional coordination, and enhancing international competitiveness. Currently, the 19 major urban agglomerations cover 25% of China’s land area, house 75% of its population, and contribute to 88% of its GDP.
Among these, five pillar urban agglomerations stand out:
- Yangtze River Delta: A hub of advanced manufacturing and services.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: An international innovation and technology center.
- Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region: The political and cultural heartland, focusing on coordinated development.
- Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River: A key area for ecological and green development.
- Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle: A new growth pole in western China, enhancing regional cooperation.
These regions, each with unique strengths and development potential, are set to lead China’s journey toward high-quality development, fostering innovation, enhancing industrial chains, and securing supply chains.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
