Jianfa Shen

A study of the temporary population in Chinese cities

Abstract Since the early 1980s, a large number of rural migrants have moved into Chinese cities. Most rural migrants are not granted permanent household registration in the city and are only registered temporarily. The temporary population refers to such rural migrants. They have a low social and economic status and do not enjoy many social welfare and economic opportunities reserved for the permanent urban residents. Due to their low socio-economic status, housing conditions for the temporary population is poor. The current housing reform in urban China has entirely focused on the local urban residents while the needs of the temporary population have been overlooked. How do the rural migrants make a living in Chinese cities? How are cities accommodating this large temporary population? What kind of policies might be adopted to manage migrants in Chinese cities? This paper will examine the current employment and housing situations, and the causes of temporary population in China. Possible policy response to the problem is also discussed.

State-Sponsored and Spontaneous Urbanization in the Pearl River Delta of South China, 1980-1998

State-sponsored urbanization prevailed in the prereform China. A new track of spontaneous urbanization has emerged since 1978. However, state-sponsored urbanization has continued to be an important process of urbanization in the reform period. The Chinese pattern of urbanization since 1978 is distinguished by dual-track urbanization. This paper uses the dualtrack urbanization approach to examine the urbanization process in Pearl River Delta in the reform period. Whether urbanization takes place in main cities or low-order settlements has been a lasting theme of the urbanization inquiry. This issue is assessed by an analysis of the relative concentration and deconcentration of urban population among four groups of settlements: the primate city, cities with special economic zones, prefecture-level cities and county-level cities/counties. Contrary to previous research, it is found that both state-sponsored and spontaneous urbanization are driving a dispersed pattern of urbanization in the region.

Modelling Regional Migration in China: Estimation and Decomposition

In this paper I consider the issue of identifying the effects of spatial structure and the origin and destination attributes on interregional migration. A decomposition approach is developed based on migration models. The interprovincial migration data in China over the period 1985–1990 are used to estimate a gravity migration model, an extended gravity model, a Poisson gravity model, and a multilevel Poisson model, which are then used to decompose the various effects on migration in China.

Urban and regional development in post-reform China: the case of Zhujiang delta

Abstract Zhujiang delta region has been at the forefront of Chinas reforms and open door policy. There has been enormous investment from Hong Kong and elsewhere. The region has undergone dramatic economic growth and spatial transformations. Such changes have been brought about by various factors and the consequence of the development has not been evenly distributed in the region. This monograph will assess the urban and regional development comprehensively by employing a county-level demographic/economic data set of the region. This will be complimented by other data. This monograph will update the previous studies that mainly used larger spatial units such as prefecture-level cities and a few key economic indicators such as GDP. The monograph focuses on the inflow of non-local investment, infrastructure development, factor contributions to regional economic growth, polarized development and the increasing links between Hong Kong and Zhujiang delta region. The development experience of the Zhujiang delta region will in no doubt shed light on the urban and regional development in both China and many developing countries.

Cross‐border connection between hong kong and mainland china under ‘two systems’ before and beyond 1997

Abstract Cross‐border flows of people, goods and capital are fundamental forces triggering spatial and economic transformations in any cross‐border regional production system. This study focuses on such cross‐border links between Hong Kong and mainland China in the context of cross‐border regional production systems. The paper examines first the close demographic ties and investment and trading relations between Hong Kong and mainland China before 1997. In terms of total direct and indirect trading, and outward investment, Hong Kong was the largest partner of mainland China and vice versa. The recent development in the cross‐border development between Hong Kong and the mainland after 1997 is also analyzed. The political change, the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, did not alter the demographic‐economic linkages significantly as such connections had been well established during the period 1978 to 1997 after Chinas opening to the outside world. Hong Kong and mainland China are two independent economic entities practicing ‘two systems’ of capitalism and socialism respectively. Contrary to common expectation, the new government in Hong Kong only played a limited role after 1997. However, a bottom‐up approach has been working spontaneously and the local people and businessmen in Hong Kong have been the primary force in establishing strong relations with the mainland facilitated by the close demographic‐cultural ties both before and after 1997.

Cross-border Urban Governance in Hong Kong: The Role of State in a Globalizing City-Region*

Abstract The rapid development in the Hong Kong-Pearl River Delta (PRD) city-region has taken place alongside complicated cross-border governance. The framework of time-space envelopes (TSEs) is adopted for a study of cross-border governance in Hong Kong, especially in the role of the state, that is, the Hong Kong government, in cross-border urban governance. This article argues that tension- free regional integration has never existed due to a complex governance network. The shift from “cross-border protectionism” to “cross-border free trade zone” in Hong Kongs cross-border urban governance since 2001 is a result of the rearticulation of the state cutting through the geoeconomic and geopolitical TSEs.

URBAN COMPETITIVENESS AND URBAN GOVERNANCE IN THE GLOBALIZING WORLD

Abstract This paper discusses the ideas of urban competitiveness and urban governance in the context of urban transformation in the age of globalization. There are independent spheres of competitiveness at firm, sectoral, urban and national levels due to their own characteristics. But competitive cities are backed by competitive firms. The scope of urban competitiveness includes quality of life and is wider than that of firm competitiveness. Urban competitiveness and urban governance are interrelated and the pursuit of urban competitiveness will necessitate changes in urban governance. There is a great need to pay more attention to comprehensive competitiveness of cities to ensure economic, social and environmental sustainability. A comprehensive perspective on urban competitiveness and urban governance is required for policy-making. Hong Kong is used as a case study to highlight the changing urban governance and new initiatives of HKSAR government to enhance the urban competitiveness. Nevertheless, the role of government should not be overestimated as government can only have limited impact. The ultimate success needs the active participation of business sector and the community at large. The place promotion after SARS is a good example.

China's Future Population and Development Challenges

This paper is concerned with the consequences of population growth and rapid urbanization in China since the beginning of economic reforms. Detailed urban-rural and national population projections were carried out using an urban-rural population model. Three main challenges crucial to Chinas future development were identified in the light of the results. These are the agriculture-food challenge, the employment challenge and the urbanization challenge.

Internal migration and regional population dynamics in China.

This monograph provides a systematic analysis of interprovincial migration in China and regional population dynamics since the 1950s. Data were obtained from the 1% sample survey of 1987. Chapters are devoted to an examination of the main features of population distribution and spatial differences of major demographic indicators, the causes and selectivity of migration, and the structure of migration. Explanatory models are used to estimate regional in- and out-migration rates and to identify factors that determine regional differences between those rates. The analysis of regional population trends since the 1950s is used to produce multiregional population projections at the provincial level for the period 1987-2087. The final chapter discusses the implications for socioeconomic development of regional population trends. Employment, marriage, and reunions with family are the three main causes of migration in China. City migrants tend to move between cities, while town and county migrants move to other towns in the same province or cities in other provinces. The eastern economic zones (Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangxi) had net in-migration during 1982-87. Other regions with net in-migration included the middle and western economic zones, with the exception of Hubei and Ningxi provinces, which had net out-migration. Most interprovincial migration flows were between neighboring provinces. The direction of flows was from less developed middle and western economic zones to more developed eastern economic zones. The migration pattern during 1982-87 reversed the pattern during 1949-78. The migration flows were sensitive to the shift in migration policy, to economic reforms, and to strategies of economic development that favored the east coast. The natural components of population change will have a vital impact on regional population changes, which are unevenly distributed across the nation.

Modelling urban - rural population growth in China

The population of China is still growing despite a dramatic decline in fertility in the past two decades. There are marked urban—rural differentials in fertility and, as a result, the pace of urbanization has significant effects on population growth. In this research an attempt is made to model urban—rural population growth in China. A demoeconomic model of urban and rural sectors is calibrated to account for the long-term trend of urbanization in China. Two important components of urban population growth—rural to urban migration and transition—are considered. In previous research, rural to urban population transition was ignored and thus urbanization levels may be significantly underprojected. An accounts-based urban—rural population model, in which rural to urban migration and transition are driven by the foregoing demoeconomic model, is established in this research. These models are used to make urban—rural population projections for the period 1988–2087 under various fertility rate assumptions.