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Are ‘Sister Cities’ from ‘Sister Provinces’? An Exploratory Study of Sister City Relations (SCRs) in China

Author

Listed:
  • Xingjian Liu

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Xiaohui Hu

    (Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

Sister city relations (SCRs) represent a significant but less well researched type of inter-city (regional) networks. While most analyses of the connectivity of Chinese cities focus on economic linkages such as air traffic flows and corporate connections, limited attention has been paid to SCRs, as an emerging mediator in affecting global inter-city networks. This study not only summarizes the key specificities and patterns of SCRs development in China, but also investigates the correlations between inter-province twinning and inter-city twinning, i.e., whether cities from ‘sister provinces’ are more likely form SCRs. Our empirical analysis suggests that (1) SCRs can be fostered by cities from a province that does not have corresponding provincial-level twining relations; (2) SCRs do not necessarily link cities from ‘sister provinces’; and (3) SCRs and other global economic connections tend to be correlated for Chinese cities. The paper concludes with some theoretical reflections and research agendas for future in-depth studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingjian Liu & Xiaohui Hu, 2018. "Are ‘Sister Cities’ from ‘Sister Provinces’? An Exploratory Study of Sister City Relations (SCRs) in China," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 473-491, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:netspa:v:18:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s11067-018-9408-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11067-018-9408-z
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