Spatial and Temporal Measurement of the Interaction between the County Economy and Rural Transformation in Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Given the background of urbanization and rural revitalization in the new era, it is important to explore the synergy between regional macroeconomics and rural transformation, as a balanced and coordinated urban–rural relationship must be built to promote regional sustainable development and rural revitalization. This paper used the spatial econometric model to study the spatiotemporal synergy and interaction between Xinjiang’s county economy and rural transformation from 2007 to 2017. The conclusions were as follows. A clear spatial difference exists between the county economy and the rural transformation level, and regional bulk agricultural products lack competitiveness. The synergy between the county economy and rural transformation is weak, as the county economy is lagging while rural transformation progresses without collaboration, indicating different types of non-equivalence. The county economy has a stronger spatial dependence on rural transformation and insufficient spillover, a stagnating effect, mainly negative driving effects, and unstable interaction effects; while the unstable changes in rural transformation affect the county economy. The urbanization rate, urban wage level, rural employment structure, and planting area per capita were the main influencing factors. It is necessary to deepen rural transformation, consolidate and enhance its stability, cultivate regional growth poles, promote overall development, and promote regional coordination.