Shunfeng Song

Promoting exports: the role of inward FDI in China

Abstract Since the late 1970s, exports and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in China have risen dramatically under the open-door policy. The critical role of FDI in Chinas exports may be indicated by the fact that exports by foreign affiliates in China in 1998 were US

Urbanisation and City Size Distribution in China

81 billion, comprising 44% of Chinas total exports in that year. While there is considerable evidence on the FDI export linkage in China, systematically empirical analyses have been limited. This paper investigates the issue using panel data at the provincial level in the period of 1986–1997. The findings support the widely held belief that increased levels of FDI positively affect provincial manufacturing export performance.

Intercity regional disparity in China

China has been experiencing rapid urbanisation since the economic reform starting in 1978. The number of cities increased from 191 in 1978 to 667 in 1999, while the urban share of the national population increased from 18 to 31 per cent. This paper examines Chinas urbanisation and the evolution of its city system. It uses city-level data from 1991 and 1998 to investigate Chinas city size distribution and its changes. It also discusses how economic and institutional factors affect the urban system and the patterns of urban growth.

MODELLING WORKER RESIDENCE DISTRIBUTION IN THE LOS ANGELES REGION

Abstract The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has always emphasized a policy of achieving economic equality between regions. Yet regional disparity persists. During the 1980s and 1990s, government policies increased the disparities between regions, causing the eastern (coastal) region to advance at a greater rate than the western and central regions. Using 1985 and 1991 city-level data, this paper examines economic disparities across regions in the PRC and, within each region. It presents evidence on the magnitude and evolution of regional disparities, and estimates the response of regional per capita income (PCI) and per capita gross domestic product (PCGDP) both to specifics of the regions and to national policies.

Determinants of Bargaining Outcome in Single-family Housing Transactions: An Empirical Examination

This paper examines the spatial pattern of worker residences with three different density functions: monocentric, polycentric and dispersive. Analysis of the 1980 journey-to-work census data for the Los Angeles region reveals that the polycentric density function statistically explains the actual distribution better than the monocentric density function, but the dispersive density function fits best. These findings confirm a polycentric spatial pattern, and also imply that overall accessibility to employment opportunities is the primary determinant of residential location choices.

Industrial structure and economic fluctuation—Evidence from China

Using a hedonic regression model, this paper examines determinants of bargaining outcome in single-family housing transactions. It divides potential factors into three broad categories: dwelling attributes, site amenities, and sellers and buyers characteristics. Results with use of 1990 data for the Reno-Sparks area in Nevada show that bargaining outcome is determined by sellers asking price, buyers household income, and some of the dwelling attributes and site amenities. This paper concludes that factors affecting housing price do not necessarily affect bargaining outcome, and first-time home buyers do not statistically bargain less than repeat home buyers.

Mobility of the Chinese Urban Poor - A Case Study of Hefei City

Abstract Industrial structure evolves with economic development. Since the reform and opening up of the economy in 1978, China has undergone rapid economic growth and dramatic industrial restructuring, with the proportion of the primary, secondary and tertiary industry changed respectively from 28%, 48% and 24% of GDP in 1978 to 11%, 49% and 40% in 2008. Using panel data from 31 provinces in the past three decades, this paper empirically examined the relationship between economic growth and industrial structure. Based on results from unit root test, cointegration test, and Granger causality test, this paper concluded that the two variables are order-1 integrated, short-run economic fluctuation causes industrial structure disproportion, while a long-run bidirectional causal relationship exists between industry structure disproportion and economic aggregate fluctuation. This paper also investigated the determinants of Chinas industrial structure and found that influential factors include per capita GDP, domestic consumption propensity, urban–rural disparity, scale of the labor force and capital stock, property right protection, and administrative effectiveness.

Farmers’ behaviors and performance in cooperatives in Jilin Province of China: A case study

In an environment of rapid economic development with rising incomes, escalating motorization, and growing urbanization, it is natural that government policies focus on solving congestion-related problems caused by increased car ownership and usage. The mobility needs of the urban poor have traditionally been neglected in policy and in practice, particularly in developing countries. This article addresses the mobility challenges facing the urban poor and is based on a household travel survey in the city of Hefei in China. First we present the travel behaviors, transportation costs, and commuting problems of the urban poor. Then we discuss urban transportation-policy implications and examine the prevailing trends of urban transportation policies and plans in Chinese cities. Policy recommendations are suggested to improve the mobility needs of the urban poor.

Urban Poor in China

Abstract Agricultural cooperatives began to emerge in China since the 1990s, as a new form of agricultural production that better handles challenges brought by market shifts and globalization. Little research has been done to understand factors that decide farmers’ behaviors and performance in cooperatives in China. Using large sample data from Jilin Province, this paper examines the decision-making mechanism of farmers in joining cooperatives and analyzes farmers’ awareness of cooperatives and relative laws, willingness to participate, real behaviors and performance in cooperatives. Empirical results show that farmers’ education level, the variety of agricultural products, planting area, future planting plan, sales difficulties, low prices of agricultural products, labor shortage, agricultural production costs and risks are the most influential factors in deciding what behaviors to take, while planting area, agricultural production costs, the variety of agricultural products and lack of agricultural insurance are the most influential factors deciding the final performance achieved. This paper concludes with policy suggestions, such as strengthening publicity of cooperatives, standardizing internal management of cooperatives, and enhancing the quality of services provided by cooperatives.

Pension Systems and Reforms in China and Russia

Since the late 1970s, many employees of state-owned enterprises have been laid off, and more and more rural people have migrated to urban areas. Many laid-off and migrant workers have become the urban poor. This paper discusses the general situation of the urban poor in China by examining how many there are, how poor they are, who they are, and what creates their situation. Using data from a January 2007 survey on 1,641 relatively low-income households in Changsha, the paper investigates features of migrant workers and their city counterparts regarding income, employment, social support, housing, most-needed government assistance, and reasons for migration. Based on the empirical findings, the paper gives some policy recommendations.