ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the varying development patterns as a result of influence of government behaviors on China's regional port systems, on port-city relationship, and other possible outcomes. Pearl River Delta (PRD) reflects a relatively market-oriented system with special administrative circumstances, while the case of Beibu Gulf in Guangxi exemplifies a situation in which a proactive high-level government attempts to intercept the marketization of its ports. Other cases in China are in between these two extreme cases. An example is the development strategy of the west Taiwan Straits in Fujian Province. Although the provincial government intended to integrate Fuzhou and Xiamen Ports into one, both ports demonstrated obvious independence and a clear division of labor due to both ports having significant economic strength and administrative power. The biggest risk that local governments may take in attracting central enterprises to their port cities is the failure of these enterprises to show up despite their expressed intentions to invest in the port city.
