Pioneering Economic Reforms in China's Special Economic Zones: The Promotion of Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer in Shenzhen

This text examines the performance of China's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in attracting foreign investment and promoting technology transfer, through an in-depth case study of the largest zone - Shenzhen. The major theme is that spatial placement and unique planning activities, which are not found elsewhere within China, are more important in explaining the performance of SEZs than is acknowledged in the existing literature. The significant growth of foreign investment is primarily a possitive function of proximity to major countries of origin, inphysical, economic, cultural and political terms; and is also positively related to favourable local policy environment. Labour cost differentials between the zones and other potential sites in China and domestic market potential in contrast to traditional neoclassical theory, are only residual factors. The manuscript offers a unique resource for China scholars, policy makers concerned with economic development, and business interested in investing in China.