Study on economic distance in China: A new perspective of regional disparities

摘要

Regional disparities in China exist and are still severe. Particularly alarming is the growing economic gap between the coastal provinces and the western ones. This paper uses the economic distance to measure regional disparities in China. The results show that Western China is suffering from the longest economic distance to the density zones. In order to help such lagging area for a better access to the market, the improvement of transportation infrastructure will be an unquestionable option. That will help alleviate regional disparities at the same time.