Coal Resources City Industry Transition Of Government Function

There are hundreds of resource-based cities in China. Along with the deepening of thereform and opening up, the gradual improvement of market economy and the tilt of nationalpolicy, resource-based cities enjoy a high profile. The life cycle of resource determines that theresource-based cities cannot always rely on resources. If these cities do not develop alternativeindustries timely in their peak or even recession periods, or problems of sustainable developmenthaven’t be solved appropriately, these cities are bound to lead to a series of issues in economy,society, environment and livelihood, which will pose a severe threat to the economicdevelopment and social stability of these cities. Resource-based cities have to prepare early forthe optimization and upgrading of industrial structure, in order to enhance city competitiveness,improve people’s livelihood and social stability, and ultimately to achieve sustainabledevelopment.Industrial transformation of resource-based cities is a large systematic project, involvingpolitical, economic, cultural and other aspects, which can be realized through decades. Thistransformation poses a severe test to the government. It is in this context that this paper studiesthe issue and explores how the government should function. In all, this article expects to play amore appropriate role and have a better performance.Based on the theory of industrial transformation, this paper expounds the necessity ofindustrial transformation in resource-based cities, the role government should play, and thechallenges it may face. The article selected the mature coal resource-based city-Zoucheng,Shandong province, as an example. It introduces the present situation of Zoucheng’s industrialstructure, the advantages, problems and conflicts that may affect the process of industrialtransformation. Combined with the status quo, the author proposes the strategic options ofZoucheng’s industrial transformation: Firstly, upgrade the traditional industries and extend theindustrial chain; secondly, foster new industries through alternative routes; thirdly, do a good jobof industrial clusters and strengthen the construction of the park; fourthly, develop integrationbetween local government and enterprise; fifthly, make small and medium-sized enterprisesbigger and stronger. Through studying Ruhr in Germany, Houston in The United States, Lorrainein France and Kyushu in Japan, the writer summarized a set of available experiences which canbe applied in domestic cities, including setting up specialized agencies, perfecting the policysystem of industrial transformation, adjusting the recession industry combined with fosteremerging industries and so on. Finally, in combination with the problems, contradictions andexperiences existing in Zoucheng’s industrial transformation, the writer puts forward how should the government function in resource-based cities, including formulating development plan,perfecting the industrial policy, increasing the intensity of financing, doing a good job intechnological innovation, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, improving theemployment service system and strengthening the social construction.This article is intended to provide a master plan and indicate the direction for how shouldgovernment function through the studying of resource-based cities, to expect that the governmentin resource-based cities can timely adjust its function, specification and boundary according tothe process of industrial transformation. Finally, the writer expects the overall management andservice of government can be improved, the coordinated development between economy andsociety of resources-based cities can be promoted.