The empirical research on regional economic convergence among Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei — From human capital perspective

Abstract

Firstly, this paper summarizes the related concepts and models between human capital and regional economic convergence from classical literature. Secondly, it makes some regional economic convergence tests by the convergence model based on the data of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, moreover, it analyzes on the regional economic convergence category and its human capital factor of the three regions. The results indicate that, there is no σ regional economic convergence among Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei since 1978, and absolute β convergence does not exist since 1996. However, there is a strong β conditional convergence when introducting human capital factor, but the club convergence exists neither in Beijing nor Hebei, but a weak club convergence exists in Tianjin. Finally, according to empirical results, the paper puts forward some corresponding proposals for coordinated development of regional economic of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.