Market-oriented reform and convergence in China

Abstract

Market orientation played an extremely important role in the rapid growth of initially backward areas in China, and was the main source of convergence in the reform period. This hypothesis is based on a growth framework for transition economies, and is tested in the paper. The study suggests that market-oriented reforms can lead to convergence, and that a key to rapid development of initially backward areas in transition economies is to make full use of market mechanisms to accelerate the growth of efficient non-primary industry and efficient non-state owned enterprises.