China’s Western Development Strategy for Modernization Drive

Yang Kaizhong*

Research Institute for Eco-Civilization (RIEco), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Beijing, China

Abstract: The Western Development Strategy (WDS) is a key aspect of China’s coordinated regional development strategy and effort to build a modern country. The world is undergoing profound changes that have not been witnessed in a century. This paper discusses the WDS’s importance in regards to China’s modernization drive and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. First, this paper identifies the WDS’s mission to improve people’s livelihood in China’s western regions, promote common prosperity for the Eurasian continent, and support the green transition of China’s and Eurasian energy economic and environmental systems, and safeguard ecological security in Asia at large. Second, this paper suggests that the key to the WDS is to reshape the geographical layout of economic activity in the western regions to avoid inefficiency. Specifically, China should develop a compact geographical layout of economic activity in the western regions, introduce a unique competition strategy, as well as find solutions for coordinated regional development based on key river basins. Finally, develop smart internet and inland free ports within the western regions.

JEL Classification Code: O18, R11, R13

DOI: 10.19602/j.chinaeconomist.2021.05.03