ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the changing tendency regarding regional inequalities within Guangdong and the role played by geography in influencing spatial disparity. It discusses the evidence from other Chinese regions with regard to the impact of geography on regional economic development, and the tendency for development to bring regional inequality. The correlation between coastal location and rapid economic growth is close. In the context of pre-1949 China, the role of backward transportation and other shortcomings of its infrastructure in inhibiting industrial and economic development is evident. The evidence from many Chinese regions indicates that regional industrial clusters are the key to explaining local industrial prosperity and economic growth. Even though China's economic development may, overall, have reached a high level, the evidence from many Chinese regions suggests that there has been no appreciable trend towards regional income convergence during the reform period. In terms of the trend towards regional inequality, development within China varies considerably.
