Identification and analysis of underdeveloped resource-rich regions in China

This paper analyzes the existence of developmental views and compares the results of previous studies for underdeveloped regions. In view of the limitations of previous studies, this study details regional unit, expands index system, applies factor-analysis to structure index system, uses the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model to improve analytic hierarchy process, and identifies the economic developmental levels of 384 regions, including 4 municipalities, 333 cities at prefecture level, and 47 counties under the jurisdiction of province. The levels of the 47 counties are identified by dividing the rank of comprehensive values of more than 337 regions unit into five equal graduations and then matching the 47 counties with the five-graduation results. This study provides the distribution of resources-rich region in China qualitatively and quantitatively in terms of coal, oil gas and other 14 kinds of metal mineral resources. Finally, by matching the two parts of results, this study identifies the distribution of underdeveloped resource-rich regions (URRRs). URRRs are mainly distributed in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, He’nan, Shandong, Guangxi and Gansu provinces, which accounts for 78.57% of the total in China. To a certain degree, the result of this paper proves that “resources curse” existing in the national stratification plane in later 20th century still takes places in some cities in China, especially in the counties of these cities’ jurisdiction.