Unlocking Island Potential: Evaluating the Zhoushan Archipelago New Area's Success

The Power of Political Location

Administrative divisions are more than just lines on a map; they're the building blocks of governance. Adjusting these divisions can be a powerful tool for stimulating regional economies, but it requires a systematic approach. Introducing the Political Location Potential (PLP) model – a quantifiable framework designed to evaluate the impact of these adjustments, especially on islands.

This groundbreaking model assesses an area's standing within the larger administrative structure, considering both its horizontal reach (jurisdictional scope) and its vertical position (administrative hierarchy).

Zhoushan: A Case Study in Island Transformation

The Zhoushan Archipelago New Area, China's first national-level archipelago new area, provides a compelling illustration of the PLP model in action. Established in 2011 and granted sub-provincial economic authority in 2013, Zhoushan offers a unique opportunity to study how increased administrative power translates to economic growth.

Our research, combining extensive fieldwork with rigorous statistical analysis from 2008 to 2022, reveals a fascinating story of transformation.

Measuring the Impact: The PLP Model Unveiled

Based on the Cobb-Douglas production function, our PLP model integrates factors such as land-island connectivity, administrative development, resource allocation, and control over the marine economy.

By analyzing these variables, we found that Zhoushan's PLP has significantly increased since 2008, experiencing a relative potential energy surge during key phases of development, particularly after the completion of the Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge and the granting of provincial-level authority.

Driving Forces: Connectivity and Competitive Advantage

Two key factors emerge as primary drivers of Zhoushan's rising PLP: enhanced land-island connectivity and a strengthened competitive comparative advantage.

Improved transportation infrastructure, exemplified by the Cross-Sea Bridge, has dramatically reduced travel times, fostering economic integration with the mainland and boosting Zhoushan's attractiveness to both businesses and residents.

Simultaneously, increased administrative authority has empowered Zhoushan to better manage its marine resources and allocate administrative resources, resulting in significant improvements in the city's economic performance.

Model Validation and Future Directions

Rigorous robustness testing, including placebo tests, confirms the validity of our PLP model, demonstrating that the observed improvements are indeed linked to policy changes.

While our study offers valuable insights, it also identifies areas for future research. Incorporating inter-district cooperation, administrative costs, and the nuances of different administrative adjustments into the PLP model will further enhance its accuracy and applicability.

Recommendations for Zhoushan's Continued Growth

Based on our findings, we propose three pathways for Zhoushan's future development: transitioning mature functional zones into administrative districts, optimizing township settings, and shifting functional area custodianship to municipal management.

These strategies aim to maximize the benefits of administrative and functional integration, further solidifying Zhoushan's position as a thriving maritime hub.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Island Development

The PLP model offers a powerful framework for understanding the complex interplay of administrative divisions and economic development. By quantifying the impact of policy decisions, it empowers policymakers to make informed choices that unlock the full potential of regions like the Zhoushan Archipelago New Area.

This study provides not only a compelling case study but also a blueprint for leveraging administrative adjustments to drive sustainable growth in island and coastal regions.