@article{Ma:198390,
      recid = {198390},
      author = {Ma, Meilin and Steinbach, Sandro and Wu, Junqian},
      title = {A Study on Regional Specialization of China’s Agricultural  Production: Recent Trends and Drivers},
      journal = {Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development},
      address = {2014-02},
      number = {393-2016-23784},
      series = {2-426-4(2)2014-AJARD-113-127},
      pages = {15},
      year = {2014},
      abstract = {The paper examines trends and drivers for regional  specialization of China’s agricultural produc-tion for  2003-2011. We apply the Regional Specialization Index to a  data set of commodities that covers 70 percent of China’s  crop and livestock production. Actual prices at the  provincial level are used and a seven-region framework is  established that accurately reflects China’s  agro-ecological characteristics. Our findings show that  inequality of specialization among the Chinese regions has  narrowed, with the year 2007 as a turning point. We argue  that the enhanced regional specialization is due to less  government intervention and more openness to international  markets. Growing economic freedom, accompanied by  intensified internal and external competition, has driven  the regions to adjust agricultural production structures  closely according to comparative advantages. Recent trends  of specialization are identified and explained. Moreover,  quantitative evidence to relevant agricultural policies is  provided.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/198390},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.198390},
}