A Research On Chinese Economic Geography In The International Perspective

This thesis is unfolded in two aspects: a literature review on the previous related studies and researches both on the international economic geography and Chinese economic geography, focusing on the development of the field during the past 20 years. As the former is in a stage of experiencing major changes in theoretical orientations, I keeps on tracing the hints of new theories, namely the new economic geography from the economists' point of view and new economic geographies from the geographers'. However, the researches on economic geography in China have been declining over the past 20 years, and how to take effective measures to improve the development of Chinese economic geography and establish our own intellectual identity remains to be unknown.The results show that both of the two theories have achieved much progress to a certain extent. The new economic geography raised by Paul Krugman has provided a solid microeconomic foundation for the spatial concentration of economic activity and regional growth disparities, the theories, empirical researches and policy analyses have contributed much to the body of this field.Despite that they are different in methodologies, the two theories are currently united as the economists and geographers are gradually approaching each other's standpoints. Thus, modern economic geography has a wider range and various research programs than ever before. Nowadays, the economists have paid more attention to the importance of those institutional and cultural factors.Comparing to the international trends mentioned above, Chinese economic geography has lagged behind for the following reasons: the theoretical researches can not catch up with the development of the mainstream economic geography in the scientific research area, the empirical researches conducted on China are obviously rare, and the theories have weak relevance with the public policy; second, China's higher education system fails to attract and bring more future researches into the field.Therefore, the thesis provides some suggestions that may help propel the development of economic geography in China and concludes with the discussion of future issues and changes facing the field of Chinese Economic Geography.