By Liu Yong, Research Team on “The Focus, Difficulties and Countermeasures of Promoting the Development of Regional Integration,” Research Department of Development Strategy and Regional Economy, DRC

Research Report, No.170, 2020 (Total 5914) 2020-7-6

Abstract: Europe, America and some Asian countries have rich experience in promoting regional integration. They have attached great importance to balanced development planning, coordinated development policies and the legal system construction in regional integration and development. A strong system and mechanism for coordinated governance of trans-regional economic integration has been established, and the relationship between the market and the government in promoting the formation and development of regional economic integration has been properly clarified; the fiscal, tax and policy-based financial measures have been made full use of, and the main responsibilities and core role of government have been given full play in promoting the development of infrastructure and public services; and the unique role of the government has been given full play in addressing and resolving a series of institutional obstacles and difficulties affecting the development of regional economic integration. China can learn a lot from these experiences. In order to promote regional economic integration, the Chinese government needs to formulate balanced development plans, introduce coordinated development policies, build a system of relevant laws and regulations, establish a trans-administrative governance model, vigorously develop interconnected transportation infrastructure and focus on developing city clusters.

Keywords: regional economic integration, transportation integration, market integration