Chinese cities are in transitional periods toward market economy. All the cities have growth-oriented policies, pursue new economic order, change social relations and re-formulate city politics.
By using Beijing case, this study analyzed process a ...
Chinese cities are in transitional periods toward market economy. All the cities have growth-oriented policies, pursue new economic order, change social relations and re-formulate city politics.
By using Beijing case, this study analyzed process and policies of city innovation strategy, structural characteristics of city politics in terms of governance. Below are major discoveries.
First, while Beijing's center-oriented political intention was dominant in the past, autonomous and various city innovation strategies are pursued as economic development is an important interest of central and local governments after policies of reform and openness.
Second, although Beijing's city innovation started after other coastal cities, radical reform is going on once Beijing is scheduled to hold the Olympic Games and join WTO. Beijing is also making efforts in integrating world economy. Beijing, however, has been at feud with city residents, while setting inner-city in good condition. In addition, Beijing has fiscal problems with lack of investors.
Third, redevelopment of city center and infra-structure of Beijing was rapidly completed. Nonetheless, Beijing has environmental hazard, increasing traffic problem and ineffective use of land due to traditional socialistic system.
Fourth, Beijing lacks consistence in changing economic structure by focusing on strategy industry. Beijing neither could enjoy competitiveness and effectiveness of new-classic economies. Nonetheless, Beijing is making efforts in inducing local headquarters of multi-national corporations(MNCs) and in becoming an international financial and service center. Beijing manufacturers have been seriously competing with those of Shanghai that is considered to be the top economic center in China.
Finally, Beijing has its own socialistic developmental characteristics in terms of formulation of city governance. This means social power has not been changed at all although political power in the central government has been transferred to local governments. Beijing, in this sense, needs city governance system towards mutual cooperation among various Beijing's political players in order to continuously develop China's economy and solve city poverty, unequal space development and negligence of rural communities.
Beijing, in this sense, needs city governance system towards mutual cooperation among various Beijing's political players in order to continuously develop China's economy and solve city poverty, unequal space development and negligence of rural communities.