Study On The Spatial And Temporal Evolution Of Geo-economic Development And Influencing Factors In The Border Areas Of Southwest China

Southwest China’s border areas are the windows and security barriers facing South and Southeast Asia.With the implementation of the "One Belt,One Road" initiative and the construction of a comprehensive development and opening-up pattern along the border areas,the southwest border areas have ushered in a golden era of development,and since the 21 st century,regional economic integration has deepened and inter-regional geopolitical cooperation has become closer,and the study of geopolitical economy has gradually become a hot topic in academia.Under the current complex geopolitical environment,a study on the spatial and temporal evolution of Geo-economic development and its influencing factors in China’s southwest border areas is of great significance for tapping the advantageous conditions of the southwest border,ensuring border security,and promoting sustainable development of the southwest border areas.Guided by the relevant theories of Geo-economy and border areas,this paper elaborates on the geographical characteristics of southwest border areas in China,constructs an evaluation index system of Geo-economic development in southwest border areas in three dimensions:outward economy,local economy,and social development,and uses entropy weight method and hierarchical analysis method to evaluate the Geo-economic development of 11 states(cities)in southwest border areas from 2005 to 2019 The economic development was measured,and various measurement methods such as standard deviation elliptic equation and barrier degree model were also used to conduct a preliminary study on the Geo-economic development of the southwest border region.The main findings of the study are as follows.(1)In terms of time-series evolutionary characteristics: 1)In general,the overall Geo-economic development of the southwest border region is positive,but the disparity in the level of Geo-economic development of each state(city)is more obvious,and there is a trend of continuous expansion year by year.As far as the comparison between Guangxi and Yunnan provinces and regions is concerned,the Geo-economic development score of Guangxi border region is significantly higher than that of Yunnan border region from the early stage,but with the evolution of time,the score gap gradually decreases and the advantage of Geo-economic development is obviously insufficient.2)From the point of view of the time-series change of each system layer,the score change of the outward economic system from 2005 to 2019 shows a fluctuating slow growth trend and is influenced by the neighboring countries is larger.The scores of the local economic system and the social development system have been increasing over time.(2)From the characteristics of spatial divergence: 1)In general,the number of high level states(cities)and higher level states(cities)of Geo-economic development in the southwest border area increases significantly,and the number of low level and lower level states(cities)gradually decreases.The distribution of high level states(cities)is more balanced,with Dehong Prefecture in southwest Yunnan on the border between China and Myanmar,Xishuangbanna Prefecture in south Yunnan on the border between China and Laos,and Honghe Prefecture in southeast Yunnan and Chongzuo and Fangchenggang City in southwest Guizhou on the border between China and Vietnam.2)From the perspective of the spatial direction of Geo-economic development in the southwest border area,the center of gravity of the Geo-economic development pattern in the southwest border area is moving in a southeastern direction,and the Geo-economy is mainly in a "northwest-southeast" direction,with a spreading trend.From the perspective of the development pattern,the outward economic system is mainly developed in Dehong,Xishuangbanna and Chongzuo.The better development of local economic system is mainly in Baise City,Honghe Prefecture and Chongzuo City.The better development in terms of social development system is Baoshan City and Honghe Prefecture.The spatial pattern of subsystem development in the southwest border area is more scattered,and the development pattern of each state(city)has different characteristics.(3)From the viewpoint of influencing factors: 1)Barrier factors,the barrier degree of outward economic system of Geo-economic development in the southwest border area exceeds the barrier degree of local economic system,which proves that the southwest border is under the influence of outward economy is expanding,and outward economy becomes the main trait affecting the Geo-economic development of the southwest border area.The social development system has a small decreasing trend.In terms of specific barrier indicators,the factors with more obvious roles and wider influence are mainly foreign trade dependency,direct utilization of foreign investment,foreign investment dependency,total post and telecommunications business,financial self-sufficiency rate,and outward tourism dependency,etc.2)In terms of driving factors,the level of outward economic development,national policies,transportation construction,and the political and economic environment of neighboring countries play a driving role in the Geo-economic development of southwest China.(4)From the viewpoint of suggestions and countermeasures: on the domestic side,it should focus on using its advantageous location conditions to improve the level of outward-looking economy;it should also accelerate the integration and development of different industries and adjust the industrial layout so as to create an advantageous industrial set in the southwest border area;it should also increase the construction of basic measures such as education and medical care,and introduce high-quality talents to improve the livelihood conditions and solid social foundation.From the foreign side,it should deepen communication and exchange with neighboring countries so that both sides can benefit together.Secondly,we should increase regional economic cooperation with neighboring countries and create a sub-center of regional economic cooperation in the southwest border area;finally,we should cooperate with neighboring governments to ensure peace and stability in the border area,so as to promote the development of Geo-economy.