Evolution of Spatio-Temporal Association Model of Port Industry and Economic Growth – A Case of Five Port Groups in China

Abstract

Taking the five port groups in China during 1994-2014 as research objects, and using spatio-temporal autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation function to define optimal temporal lagging periods and spatial delay steps. At the same time, utilizing the global spatio-temporal autocorrelation STI index and local spatio-temporal autocorrelation PSTI index, some change rules of the port industry and economic growth spatio-temporal association model between global and local is revealed. Results indicate that: the STI value of Pan-Bohai port group decreases at first and then increases, and Dalian is treated as a core in Liaodong Peninsula with forming the port economic hinterland. The STI values of Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta port groups are higher, the former forms a layout of designing Shanghai port and Suzhou port as main line ports surrounded with Nanjing port, Nantong port, and other ports along the downstream of Yangtze River. And the latter, the global spatio-temporal agglomeration has enhanced and local difference has further expanded. The STI index of southeast coastal port group increases slowly, and the area centered on Ningbo and Zhoushan shows a “V-shape” spreading to western Zhejiang and Eastern Fujian with the hub of port industry and economic moving to south. The southwest coastal port group has lower STI value and weaker agglomerated state.