Regional Equalization Of Basic Public Services In China: Trends And Factors

Since reform and opening-up, China's economy has achieved rapid growth, meanwhile, the gap between urban and rural areas, among regions, groups, and individuals is widening. In order to prevent the widening of the gap from getting further, the Chinese Government has regarded the equalization of the basic public services as the building goal. It is the hope that through the in-depth study of the regional public service equalization to provide a practical and policy support for realizing the strategies of rational allocation in resources among regions and equalization of public services.This paper is divided into five, In the part of theoretical analysis,we review the development of the theoretical of basis public services at home and abroad, the theoretical basis of public services, regional development theory and the theory of public finance. Based on these theoretical explanations, quantitatively study the differences change in the level of education, public health, social security, infrastructure, science and technology, environmental protection and public safety standards of 1997-2007 years in these provinces. The third part, based on statistical data of public services level in China's 31 provinces and autonomous regions, we analyze the impact of China's provinces and regions of the imequalization of basic public. The fourth part, based on the basic health services statistics of Chinese 31 provinces, by using the principal component analysis and panel data model, we did quantitative research on the evolution of basic health services equalization between different provinces from the year 1978 to 2007 and the reasons behind it. The fifth part, based on the basic health services statistics of Chinese 27 provinces, by using the principal component analysis and panel data model, we did quantitative research on the evolution of education services equalization between different provinces from the year 1978 to 2007 and the reasons behind it.The study shows that:From 1997 to 2007,disparity of education and social security level among different regions are large at first and then become smaller; disparity of public safety and public health level among different years are not very distinct ; disparity of infrastructure level and scientific and technological level among different regions are becoming small; disparity of environmental protection among difference regions are becoming larger; differences of public services level among different regions have changes, but the gap is becoming narrower.From 1997 to 2007, the level of basic public services between provinces and regions exist, but there appears a tendency to narrow; human capital is the most important factor in the level of basic public services; the financial ability to pay is an important factor in the level of basic public services; Economic development levels, the fiscal system and transfer payments and the degree of marketization are also the factors in the level of basic public services.From 1978 to 2007,the gap of education service levels between different provinces does exist; The level of regional economic development is the most important factor among those that affects education services equalization between provinces; The financial revenue and expenditure capacity is also a significant factor;but the level of urbanization and education management system are not significant factors.From 1978 to 2007, the gap of basic health service levels between different provinces does exist, but it tends to widen; The level of regional economic development is the most important factor among those that affects education services equalization between provinces ; Social security system is a significant factor;Health management system is also a factor;Transfer payment and human resources are not significant factors.