Interregional Cooperation Research Articles

Towards a New ASEAN Regionalism: Navigating the Outlook on Indo-Pacific in Post-RCEP Beyond 2020

The adoption of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has brought the Asia Pacific region into a new paradigm of ASEAN regionalism. The global economic competition between China and the western world significantly impacts Southeast Asian countries regionally due to geographical factors and regional integration towards the ASEAN community. The changing regional order then happened after RCEP increased China's interest in the Southeast Asian geopolitical landscape and ASEAN – China's role in post-pandemic global governance. The authors discussed how China's soft power influences ASEAN's regionalism through the RCEP and vice versa. Further, it investigates how the dynamics impact the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific. Using the concept of soft power and institutional neoliberalism, this article has concluded that China is now ascending its inter-regional cooperation to capture a more significant interdependence to challenge the Western's rule of global order. The rivalry between the U.S. and China, ASEAN external partners, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the political cases concerning said stipulations of the AOIP hence identify the impacts and how ASEAN can navigate the region amid global uncertainties.

Driving forces on the development of China's marine economy: Efficiency and spatial perspective

The Marine economy serves as the blue engine for national economic growth in China. The improvement of the marine economy's total factor productivity is of great significance for achieving high-quality development. This paper measures the marine economic efficiency of 11 coastal areas in China from 2007 to 2017 with the EBM (Epsilon-based measure) model in DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) and explores its temporal and spatial evolutionary trends. On this basis, The spatial Dubin model (SDM) is constructed to explore the influencing factors and mechanisms to marine economic efficiency. The results show that: (1) Marine economic efficiency in China's coastal areas presents obvious characteristics of phase changes, which is dominated by the scale effect. (2) There is significant spatial heterogeneity in the efficiency of the marine economy in the northern, eastern, and southern marine economic zones. (3) Economic development level, economic growth expectations, and the degree of openness have a significant positive impact on the marine economic efficiency; the optimization of the marine industry structure that solely emphasizes the share of tertiary industry has a negative inhibitory effect on the efficiency of the marine economy; marine R&D investment has not yet produced an impact on economic efficiency. Finally, this paper proposes suggestions on policy-making based on relevant research conclusions. China should pursue high-quality development of the marine economy over high-speed growth. It is suggested that coastal regions should strengthen inter-regional cooperation to promote industrial clustering and give full play to the central driving role of innovation in marine economic development.

Regional Neural Activity Abnormalities and Whole-Brain Functional Connectivity Reorganization in Bulimia Nervosa: Evidence From Resting-State fMRI.

The management of eating behavior in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients is a complex process, and BN involves activity in multiple brain regions that integrate internal and external functional information. This functional information integration occurs in brain regions involved in reward, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, smell, taste, vision and so on. Although it has been reported that resting-state brain activity in BN patients is different from that of healthy controls, the neural mechanisms remain unclear and need to be further explored. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) analyses are an important data-driven method that can measure the relative contribution of low-frequency fluctuations within a specific frequency band to the whole detectable frequency range. The fALFF is well suited to reveal the strength of interregional cooperation at the single-voxel level to investigate local neuronal activity power. FC is a brain network analysis method based on the level of correlated dynamics between time series, which establishes the connection between two spatial regions of interest (ROIs) with the assistance of linear temporal correlation. Based on the psychological characteristics of patients with BN and the abnormal brain functional activities revealed by previous neuroimaging studies, in this study, we investigated alterations in regional neural activity by applying fALFF analysis and whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) in patients with BN in the resting state and to explore correlations between brain activities and eating behavior. We found that the left insula and bilateral inferior parietal lobule (IPL), as key nodes in the reorganized resting-state neural network, had altered FC with other brain regions associated with reward, emotion, cognition, memory, smell/taste, and vision-related functional processing, which may have influenced restrained eating behavior. These results could provide a further theoretical basis and potential effective targets for neuropsychological treatment in patients with BN.

Numerical study of the amplification effects of cold-front passage on air pollution over the North China Plain

Cold-front systems provide scavenging mechanisms for air pollution in the North China Plain (NCP), but the transport of pollutants with cold fronts aggravates air quality downstream. The impact of cold fronts on PM2.5 concentrations over the NCP during 8–14 December 2019 was studied using the WRF-Chem model. Results indicate that cold fronts directly influence PM2.5 concentration through regional transport of pollutants and adjustment of meteorological systems, and they indirectly affect air quality by influencing aerosol–radiation interaction. Pollutants affecting downstream areas may be transported to altitudes of ~3 km along the frontal surface, with near-surface PM2.5 concentrations increasing temporarily at up to 15 μg·m−3·h−1 behind the surface frontal line owing to the inversion layer triggered by the oblique frontal surface. The transport process plays an essential role in affecting air pollution levels, more than vertical mixing and chemical reaction processes. Changes in the meteorological system (eastward shift of the high-pressure center) occurring with the passage of cold fronts facilitate the accumulation and transport of pollutants in the NCP, reducing air quality in the western and northern NCP. Cold fronts may also indirectly exacerbate near-surface pollutant diffusion conditions by affecting solar radiation incidence, with a reduction of the 2-m temperature by as much as 1 °C, increasing near-surface (<1 and 0.5 km agl on the pre- and post-frontal sides, respectively) PM2.5 concentrations by up to 40 μg·m−3, while reducing upper-layer concentrations by up to 30 μg·m−3. This study emphasizes the amplification effect of cold fronts on air pollution, with inter-regional cooperation being essential in improving air quality in the NCP region.

MODEL KERJASAMA ANTAR DAERAH DALAM PEMANFAATAN JASA LINGKUNGAN AIR DI KAWASAN GUNUNG CIREMAI

The Mount Ciremai area plays a strategic role for districts/cities in Metropolitan Cirebon Raya (MCR). This area is a catchment area that functions as a hydrological cycle controller, and has several springs in the Mount Ciremai area that have been used by the community for agricultural irrigation, household clean water, fisheries, and industrial activities at MCR. So far, the management of water resources has encountered several problems, one of which is the lack of clarity in the division of roles and policies and rules for managing water resources in the area. Many parties have an interest in its management and utilization. For this reason, inter-regional cooperation in the MCR area in terms of utilization of water environmental services is needed and important to study. This study aims to identify a model of inter-regional cooperation that can be applied in the Greater Cirebon Metropolitan Area in the utilization of water environmental services in the Mount Ciremai area based on transaction cost theory. This study uses a descriptive quantitative-qualitative approach by providing judgments based on criteria. The data was obtained based on the results of a desk study from the literature and secondary data, as well as interviews with relevant stakeholders. The results of the analysis show that the three identified cooperation models and the coordination forum cooperation model are the optimal models assessed based on the factors that cause transaction costs.

DISCLOSURE OF INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF REGIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS

The article considers management tools to increase the efficiency of socio-economic development of regions: stimulating interregional cooperation, increasing the dynamics of economic interactions in the implementation of joint projects, modernization of infrastructure, solving important problems of local communities. The specifics of the use of cross-border interregional cooperation, under the influence of international organizations, the development of the subjective role of the regions, improving the conditions of interaction with foreign partners are analyzed. The importance of the innovative component of regional development and international regional economic cooperation at the stages of making major decisions of regional public governance is presented. Emphasis is placed on the study of the innovation potential of the region in the framework of choosing a model aimed at effective governance, achieving goals at the intermediate and final stages of implementation of regional development programs. Emphasis is placed on institutional forms of involving local communities in border regions in order to solve common problems of economic growth, remove artificial barriers, ensure the movement of services and capital. On the base of analysis, the parameters of increasing the initiative of the respective regions, their ability to formulate transparent and effective rules, plans and development programs for the long term are substantiated.

Межрегиональные инвестиционные проекты: сложности правоприменения, ограничения, вызовы

In the article the main approaches to interregional cooperation in the investment area are analyzed. The article emphasizes the need to intensify efforts to build interregional links in order to achieve the common goals and objectives of social and economic development of the regions that are facing each of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. It is suggested to analyze the values of the main indicators of the development of territories not only as a separate region, but also in terms of their influence and contribution to the development of the macroregion. During the study the current situation in the regions of the Russian Federation (by federal districts) was assessed. Such methods of research as analysis and comparison of key social and economic indicators together with legal acts of some regions of Russia were applied. At the same time, the paper touches upon international experience in the development and implementation of successful projects in the framework of “mega-regions”. Besides, the practice of interregional projects realization in Russia is being assessed. The main purpose of the work is to study the management of the region’s development through a set of measures used in the territory of a single constituent entity of the Russian Federation alongside with taking into account the possibilities for interregional cooperation, which are provided by the macro-region. The expediency of making changes to the existing laws and regulations, as well as the introduction of platforms of digital technologies for the coordinated management and development of the regional economy, is mentioned. As a result, it is suggested to strengthen the overall work to achieve the key goals and objectives of the regions through interregional cooperation, including the creation of joint investment agencies, the formation of a legislative framework, as well as a platform for the development of joint proposals and their promotion to the federal level.

Interregional Cooperation and Integration within the Framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia: Specifics of Integration and Information Support

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the need to ensure a synergetic effect within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, to create its positive image as an integration association in internal and external dimensions. The purpose of the study is to identify the specifics of cooperation between the regions of Russia and Belarus in the context of integration priorities of both countries. Materials and Methods. The research was based on the traditional study of documents, content analysis, comparative and multilevel analysis. The most important materials are official documents of Russia and Belarus, publications in the media, expert survey data, statistical information on the dynamics of interregional relations in the Union State. All of them together made it possible to concretize the signs of multifaceted communications in the field under consideration, to identify possible ways to improve the integration policy of the member states of the Union State in the face of escalated challenges and threats. Results. The peculiarities of the approaches of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the interpretation of interregional cooperation and integration in the format of the Union State are shown. The positions of the border regions are characterized. The content and orientation of media publications of different levels are analyzed, certain vulnerabilities are highlighted. Insufficient degree of interrelation of strategic orientations of integration and interregional interaction is found. The lack of manifestation of conflicting motives is offset by distancing from substantive coverage and discussion of topical issues, including by regional and local communities. Discussion and Conclusion. The performed research shows that the tasks of information support of the Union State, organization of “demand for integration”, training of personnel for “integration marketing” at the level of the regions of the two countries and expansion of their communication channels are unsolved. The recommendations made as a result are intended for representatives of state authorities and local self-government bodies and are aimed at improving the current situation through more effective use of existing advantages and mechanisms and the formation of new ones that meet the needs of integrating states and their regions.

Eurasianism, Eurasian Economic Union and Multipolarity: Assessments of Foreign Experts

Eurasianism, in its various interpretations, from ideology to the implementation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) programs, is regarded as one of the strategies of creating a multipolar world order. This article analyzes the views and assessments of foreign authors regarding the relationship between Eurasianism and the EAEU amid the changing international context. The authors present both critical and positive opinions on Eurasianism, Eurasian integration and its political and economic interlinkages with other countries and associations (China, Vietnam, the European Union (EU), Latin America). Thus, we identify three main lines of assessments on Eurasianism and Eurasian integration. The first includes negative assessments ranging from characterizing Eurasianism and the EAEU as a threat to the EU, the US, and the West in general to deliberate misinformation about the Eurasian ideology, for instance, denoting Eurasianism as parafascism. The second comprises more pragmatic and balanced views, with an emphasis on economic cooperation, which may imply cooperation with the EAEU and acceptance of the Eurasian integration if specific conditions are met, or cessation of such cooperation. The third group includes positive assessments and emphasizes the need for more intensive interaction between the EAEU and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Such views are generally held by Russian and Chinese authors. Non-Russian conceptions of Eurasianism that gained popularity in Turkey or Kazakhstan are ideologically close to the classic Eurasianism and the EAEU, although these conceptions take a distinctive national shape. The article provides some examples of interregional cooperation promoted by the EAEU within the BRICS under the outreach model, i.e., adding new dimensions to existing cooperation formats. The authors arrive at a conclusion that most often the assessments of Eurasian integration and cooperation proposals by foreign experts are tied to Russian foreign policy (or experts opinion of it). They often find interconnections between EAEU, Eurasianism and Russian policy, which emphasize Russian identity as a marker of distinctive civilization. The article also notes comments of Russian authors on the EAEU - EU relations. The research is based on comparative analysis of analytical and research publications on the subject.

Оценка конкурентоспособности экономик стран ЕАЭС

The article presents the results of a study of competitiveness as a factor in the development of the EAEU member states since the creation of the integration association in 2015 and 2020. The study is based on data from EAEU statistics. The article assesses the competitiveness of the economies of the EAEU countries on the basis of indicators of foreign and mutual trade, the share of the manufacturing industry in the total volume of industrial production, as well as labor productivity. According to the results of the analysis, the countries were identified - those that receive a greater effect from participation in the integration union, and those who are more focused on trade with third countries. Using the author's methodology, an assessment of the competitiveness of industry was carried out and an index of export similarity was calculated in comparison with the European Union. The results showed that the complementarity of economies within the EAEU is still low, and therefore the contribution of integration processes to the development of the economy is still insignificant. The main reasons for the current state of affairs, in addition to the factor of low complementarity of the structure of the economies of the EAEU countries, are that the advantages associated with the creation of the EAEU require the implementation of national economic policy measures related to supporting promising areas of cross-border interregional cooperation.

Sino-Russian Cooperation in the Yangtze and Volga River Basins

Cooperation between the regions of the Volga Federal District and the territories of the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River of the People’s Republic of China is one of the tools for activating multifaceted Russian-Chinese relations. The creation of a Sino-Russian cooperation mechanism through the Volga — Yangtze Format is of great importance for promoting the development of economic and trade exchanges between the two states, as well as the formation of points of contact in the humanitarian sphere. The similarity of geographical features of these regions is a good basis for the exchange of experience in solving economic, environmental and humanitarian problems of the development of territories located along major waterways.Aim. The purpose of the work is to identify the main vectors of possible development of cooperation and ways to overcome the problems arising in this cooperation by analyzing the intensity of interregional cooperation between Russia and China in the Volga — Yangtze format.Tasks. To analyze program documents and mass-media materials in terms of coverage of the implementation of Sino-Russian projects in the Volga-Yangtze format. To carry out a quantitative analysis of existing joint projects with China in the Volga Federal District. To identify the “growth points” of further economic cooperation between Russia and China in the Volga — Yangtze format.Methods. Empirical research methods, search and analysis of information from mass media, analysis and comparison of data, comparison and generalization were used in the work.Results. By studying the current state of the economic component of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Volga — Yangtze format, it was possible to identify the difficulties existing in cooperation between the two sides, which could be purposefully solved if the effectiveness of local cooperation was strengthened.Conclusions. At the present stage, there are some obstacles to the effective development of cooperation between the regions of the Volga Federal District and the territories of the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River of the People’s Republic of China in the Volga — Yangtze format, such as difficulties in the macroeconomic situation in Russia, the weakness of the foundation of regional cooperation, the need for an effective coordination mechanism at the regional level, as well as clear schemes of financial and tax support. In addition, based on the geographical features of the regions and the reliance of regional economies on water resources, the development of environmental cooperation in the Volga — Yangtze format would be a progressive format of cooperation.

Hospitalization coordination at the time of COVID-19 spread in Hyogo, Japan: Visualizing mutual aid for community collaboration

A new coronavirus pandemic broke out in 2020. As a countermeasure, cluster control based on active epidemiological surveys was undertaken under the jurisdiction of public health centers in Japan. However, as the number of infected people increased, the workload exceeded the processing capability of public health centers. In response to the national and prefectural government’s request to avoid functional failure due to overwork and understaffing, university faculty members provided operational support to the public health center throughout the day and night. We would like to report the issues of inter-regional cooperation that emerged from our experience.

Spatial Spillover Effect of East Java Economic Growth

The present study tries to examine the strategic role of East Java’s economic performance toward national level in spatial-based development. In spatial views, the economics of East Java statistically significant to improve economic growth in the neighboring area or provinces, and also support the East Java’s economic growth itself. The methodology uses for the present study consists of two methods, that are Inter-Regional Input-Output (IRIO) and Spatial Econometrics. First, the IRIO analysis shows the existing of Inter-Regional Spillover Effect in economics of East Java Province. Next, the authors examine if the economy of East Java Province experiences positive growth, it will encourage output growth in Java Island and improve the value added in eastern of Indonesia. Second, the result of SDM confirm that the existing of spatial spillover effect in Inter-Regional Economic of East Java Province. The result confirms the key role to boost economic growth of district/cities in East Java Province, is not only influenced by the region itself (local economy) but also support by spatial interactions with other regions (neighborhood or neighbors). The present study also finds that the neighboring GDRP per capita with other determinants i.e., capital, share of the agriculture sector, share of manufacturing industry and share of the service sector and local government spending have a significant effect on enhancing economic growth in East Java Province. The authors note that it is necessary to consider a spatial framework and approach. One of the policy recommendations in order to encourage economic growth in East Java is to strengthen the Local Value Chain (LVC) in strategic sectors, especially by encouraging inter-regional cooperation.

Межрегиональное сотрудничество: опыт регионов Европейского Севера России

Interregional cooperation is not only one of the key factors of economic growth, but it also ensures the preservation of the single economic space of the country. The purpose of the study is to analyze interregional interaction between the subjects of the European North of Russia. The article presents a theoretical overview of the works of domestic and foreign authors on this topic. The strategies of socio-economic development of the regions of the European North of Russia are considered in order to reflect the issues of interregional interaction in them. The existing cooperation agreements between the regions are analyzed. Content analysis of action plans for the implementation of these agreements is carried out on the example of the Republic of Karelia, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions. A brief overview of interregional projects implemented in the considered constituent entities of the Russian Federation is presented. Conclusions are drawn that the state authorities of the regions recognize the importance and necessity of developing interregional cooperation, but the main form of interaction is still the exchange of experience, as well as the holding of joint cultural and sports events. Not all regional socio-economic development strategies fully reflect the issues of interregional cooperation and possible prospects for its development. The obtained results contribute to the study of issues of interregional cooperation, can be used in the framework of the implementation of the state policy on the development of interregional ties, cooperation of regions to solve common problems in the economic and social spheres. As part of further research on this topic, it is planned to study interregional economic and cooperative ties, including in the implementation of joint investment projects.

Need for Inter-Regional Cooperation in Solid Municipal Waste Management in the Regions of the Far East of Russia

This article revises the cooperation opportunities of the regions of the Russian Far East in solid municipal waste management. Despite the federal and regional programs encouraging more rational waste management, the situation is quite tense, which sometimes results in the declaration of an emergency state. This is due to the low profitability of solid municipal waste management and, as a result, low investment activity in this sector.The authors demonstrate that inter-regional cooperation is a promising area of development for solid municipal waste management systems. This can be manifested in the distribution of deep processing facilities for household waste among regions using the transport capacities of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The specifics of cargo turnover in this railroad shall help organize waste transportation at relatively low costs.

CiteSpace knowledge map analysis of research progress on Tripterygium wilfordii toxicity

This study systematically searched CNKI and Web of Science(WoS) for the research papers on the toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii included from database inception to August 31, 2021, and visually displayed the authors, research institutions, keywords, and other contents using bibliometrics and CiteSpace 5.8.3. Furthermore, the current situation and research progress on T. wilfordii safety were also analyzed based on information extraction to find the research hotspot, evolution path, and development trend, and to provide references for future research. A total of 1 876 Chinese papers and 243 English papers were included in the study. The analysis of authors showed that WANG Qi and ZHANG Luyong had the most publications in Chinese and English papers, respectively. According to the analysis of research institutions, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control and China Pharmaceutical University possessed the largest number of Chinese and English papers, respectively, but there was less cooperation between them. The analysis of keywords in Chinese and English papers showed that the research contents of the safety of T. wilfordii mainly focused on clinical monitoring, mechanism, dosage form improvement, quality standard, component analysis, monomer research, efficiency and toxicity reduction, etc. Metabonomics, tripterine, and the underlying mechanism of toxicity were the research hotspots in the future. At present, the research on the toxicity of T. wilfordii is still under development. It is necessary to highlight the in-depth research and strengthen the inter-group and inter-region cooperation of authors or institutions to provide references for the research on the toxicity of T. wilfordii.

Inter-Regional Cooperation for Better Household Waste Management Stairs in Lampung Province, Indonesia

Household waste is an environmental problem that is still being faced by the Province of Lampung, Indonesia. To deal with the growing problem of household waste, the provision of regional landfills is currently very necessary, especially for urban areas that no longer have adequate landfills. However, the local government ego of each district/city to provide land to accommodate waste disposal from other districts/cities is a very urgent problem to be solved. This study argues that the Local Government of Lampung Province in implementing waste management policies based on Good Environmental Governance principles is still lacking even though Lampung Province has a fairly high household waste production. Until now, the local government has not formed a Regional Regulation on Waste Management as an important instrument in overcoming regional egos in waste management in Lampung Province. Local governments need to develop inter-regional cooperation to overcome household waste problems by establishing a Regional Final Disposal Site ( TPA Regional) that can be used together. The formation of a legal product at the provincial level that regulates the TPA Regional is a solution to the problem of legal certainty in overcoming th e local government ego .

Theoretical and Methodological Aspects of Regionalism: Problems of Interaction of Border Regions

The scientific literature presents various definitions of the concepts of ‘regionalism’, ‘regionalization’ and ‘interregional interaction’. The processes associated with globalization and integration manifest themselves in the form of consolidation of macro-regional ties. The formation of big macroeconomic zones of priority cooperation covers neighbouring and geographically close countries. The consolidation of large economic spaces is accompanied by the creation of regional economic organizations and integration communities aimed at deepening trade, economic cooperation and regional division of labour.&#x0D; In parallel with the formation of large economic and political regional associations at the macro level, globalization has accelerated the process of diversification of territorial administration functions within individual states. The redistribution of power within individual countries is seen as a parallel process of regionalization at the grassroots level. The signs of regionalism at the micro level include the increasing role of subnational territorial communities, the growth of their interest in establishing closer cooperation with the border territories of neighboring countries.&#x0D; In the most general sense, the author considers regionalism as a dynamic feature of international political and economic processes, indicated by the diversification of management functions at different levels of socio-political organization. The methodology of political science distinguishes the manifestations of regionalisms at the macro and micro levels. Various manifestations of regionalism are embodied in the design of large economic spaces, the redistribution of power within individual countries, increasing the level of regional self-government, development of interregional contacts and interregional integration ties between neighbouring and/or geographically close countries.&#x0D; The practice of interregional cooperation is most successfully applied within the framework of multilateral integration associations, primarily in the EU and in the wider European space covered by the scope of European conventions and decisions in the field of spatial cooperation of territorial communities and authorities, including local and regional self-government. Interaction between subnational regions includes the conclusion of agreements between territorial communities of neighbouring countries, the creation of interregional associations and contractual networks of interregional cooperation.

МЕЖРЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ СОТРУДНИЧЕСТВО КАК ИНСТРУМЕНТ ДОСТИЖЕНИЯ СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКИХ ЦЕЛЕЙ СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИЯ АРКТИЧЕСКИХ РЕГИОНОВ РОССИИ

The article describes the strategic goals of the Arctic regions and describes the possibilities of achieving them through joint efforts. Attention is paid to the analysis of the positions of the Arctic regions in the rating of socio-economic development of the subjects of the Russian Federation. As a result of the analysis, the author comes to the conclusion that, despite the similarity of the subjects of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and the presence of common problems, the Arctic regions prefer to compete rather than work on interregional cooperation. Further, from a theoretical and methodological point of view, the role of interregional cooperation in the socio-economic development of the Arctic regions of Russia as an important component of state policy is revealed. Among the main tasks of interregional cooperation: reducing transaction costs in related industries; increasing the advantages of the territory; increasing the level of regional self-awareness; a variety of management procedures; creating a single information space; joint plans for the future of several subjects. The author refers to the main obstacles to interregional cooperation: lack of free funds in the budgets of the regions; insufficient regulation of cooperation; lack of traditions and experience of interregional cooperation; lack of priority of projects affecting the interests of several regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The importance of the implementation of interregional cooperation in terms of the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the Arctic territories is emphasized.

Re-Estimation of Agricultural Production Efficiency in China under the Dual Constraints of Climate Change and Resource Environment: Spatial Imbalance and Convergence

Climate change and farmland environmental pollution have put greater pressure on the sustainability of agricultural production. Based on the provincial panel data of mainland China from 1978 to 2018, climate variables such as precipitation, temperature, and sunshine hours are included into the input indicators, and agricultural non-point source pollution and carbon emissions are taken as undesirable outputs, the agricultural production efficiency (APE) under the dual constraints of climate change and the resource environment was estimated by the super slacks-based measure (SBM)-undesirable model. On the basis of the trajectory of the imbalanced spatiotemporal evolution of APE shown by Kernel density estimation and the standard deviational ellipse (SDE)–center of gravity (COG) transfer model, the spatial convergence model was used to test the convergence and differentiation characteristics of APE. Under the dual constraints, APE presents a “bimodal” distribution with a stable increase in fluctuation, but it is still at a generally low level and does not show polarization, among which the APE in the northeast region is the highest. The COG of APE tends to transfer towards the northeast, and the coverage of the SDE is shrinking, so the overall spatial pattern is characterized by a tendency of clustering towards the north in the north-south direction and a tendency of imbalance in the east-west direction. APE has significant spatial convergence, and there is a trend of “latecomer catching-up” in low-efficiency regions. The introduction of spatial correlation accelerates the convergence rate and shortens the convergence period. The convergence rate is the highest in the central and western regions, followed by that in the northeastern region, and the convergence rate is the lowest in the eastern region. In addition, the convergence rate in different time periods has a phase change. The process of improving the quality and efficiency of agricultural production requires enhancing the adaptability of climate change, balancing the carrying capacity of the resource environment, and strengthening inter-regional cooperation and linkage in the field of agriculture.