ABSTRACT

Territorial collaboration offers a novel way of tackling the widening gap between prosperous cities and poorer regions. Place-based organizations working together and sharing their knowledge, expertise and resources can strengthen productive capacities and improve living standards in less-favoured areas. China has gone further than elsewhere through a solidarity programme that twins coastal city administrations with their rural counterparts. Long-term partnerships are upgrading infrastructure, institutions and human capabilities, and spurring private investment in agricultural and industrial projects. Interregional cooperation could assist other emerging economies through sharing, learning and investing in complementary activities.