A Spatial Analysis of Regional Economic Convergence at City Level in the Pearl River Delta

With the per capita GDP growth between 24 cities and counties in the Pearl River Delta from 1997 to 2011,the pa per uses spatial econometric analysis method to test the spatial correlation and convergence of regional economic growth.The re sults show that the economic growth of the 24 cities and counties has a significant spatial positive correlation and geospatial ag glomeration in the Pearl River Delta.Compared with the traditional spatial econometric model,this paper selected the spatial error model,which can eliminate the spatial dependence of regional economic growth,to reach the founding:the β-conver gence existed among the cities and counties,and the Pearl River Delta economic growth is not only influenced by the initial lev els,but also conducted diffusing effect to the economic growth of the surrounding regions.Therefore,the development of re gional policy should take full account of the spatial dependence and spillover effects of the economic development.