ABSTRACT
Despite Deqing and Wangniudun of Dongguan having their own intermediate market system, both places have distinctive types of local markets. Spatial variations are addressed by Skinner through his topographic models and the regional framework. The foundations of this framework are rural market systems. They are regarded by Skinner as forming the basic level of a regional hierarchy, in which these systems are connected horizontally to similar local systems, and vertically to higher level systems. The shortcomings of the core-periphery concept in explaining vanations in post-1979 China are further demonstrated by examining changes to the administrative hierarchy. The weak correlation between location and span of control is generated by the institutional reform of city-leading-counties since 1982 which has re-arranged China's spatial organisation. The limitation of the core-periphery concept is further illustrated by variations in government control which are reflected in Deqing and Dongguan. The persistence of 'shortage' conditions during the reform era has been dependent upon the level of market liberalisation.
