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W. Yang
6 Spatial Patterns
Spatial pattern refers to the spatial distribution and layout of ecological or economic
factors. China has established three major strategic patterns, which will therefore
form three spatial patterns.
The first is the urbanization strategic pattern encompassing “two horizontal lines
and three vertical lines.” The two horizontal lines refer to the Lanzhou-Lianyungang
Railway section of the new Asia-Europe land bridge and the Yangtze River, and the
three vertical lines refer to the coastal, Beijing-Guangzhou, and Baotou-Kunming
corridors. The urbanization strategic pattern intends to boost the development of
more than 20 key city clusters along these lines and enable them to lead and drive
regional development.
The second is the agricultural strategic pattern composed of “seven areas and
twenty-three belts.” The seven areas include the Northeast Plain, the HuangheHuaihe-Haihe Plain, the Yangtze River basin, the Fenhe-Weihe River Plain, the
Hetao Irrigation District, and South China and Gansu-Xinjiang agricultural production areas. The seven areas and twenty-three belts are positioned as major agricultural
production areas in China, which should not pursue industrialization and urbanization
but ensure food security for 1.4 billion Chinese people.
The third is the ecological security strategic pattern composed of “two barriers
and three belts.” Specifically, they refer to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecological
barrier, the Loess Plateau—Sichuan-Yunnan ecological barrier, northeast forest belt,
northern sandbreak belt, and southern hilly and mountainous areas.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecological barrier has great impact on not only the
entire natural environment of China but also climate change in East Asia, South
Asia, and the world at large. Therefore, it is a conservation area of significance. The
Loess Plateau—Sichuan-Yunnan ecological barrier, situated at the intersection of
the second tier and third tier of China’s terrains, suffers the most serious water loss
and soil erosion in the country, which may pose severe risks to ecological security if
not handled effectively. In addition, the three belts are also of great importance. For
example, the northeast foreign belt has a direct bearing on the ecological security of
the entire Northeast Plain.
In short, the “two horizontal lines and three vertical lines” will accommodate a
majority of China’s population and economic output, the “seven areas and twentythree belts” will ensure food security for Chinese people, and the “two barriers and
three belts” will ensure China’s ecological security.
7 Spatial Structure
China’s territorial spaces can be divided into the following four categories according
to their purposes.
W. Yang
6 Spatial Patterns
Spatial pattern refers to the spatial distribution and layout of ecological or economic
factors. China has established three major strategic patterns, which will therefore
form three spatial patterns.
The first is the urbanization strategic pattern encompassing “two horizontal lines
and three vertical lines.” The two horizontal lines refer to the Lanzhou-Lianyungang
Railway section of the new Asia-Europe land bridge and the Yangtze River, and the
three vertical lines refer to the coastal, Beijing-Guangzhou, and Baotou-Kunming
corridors. The urbanization strategic pattern intends to boost the development of
more than 20 key city clusters along these lines and enable them to lead and drive
regional development.
The second is the agricultural strategic pattern composed of “seven areas and
twenty-three belts.” The seven areas include the Northeast Plain, the HuangheHuaihe-Haihe Plain, the Yangtze River basin, the Fenhe-Weihe River Plain, the
Hetao Irrigation District, and South China and Gansu-Xinjiang agricultural production areas. The seven areas and twenty-three belts are positioned as major agricultural
production areas in China, which should not pursue industrialization and urbanization
but ensure food security for 1.4 billion Chinese people.
The third is the ecological security strategic pattern composed of “two barriers
and three belts.” Specifically, they refer to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecological
barrier, the Loess Plateau—Sichuan-Yunnan ecological barrier, northeast forest belt,
northern sandbreak belt, and southern hilly and mountainous areas.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecological barrier has great impact on not only the
entire natural environment of China but also climate change in East Asia, South
Asia, and the world at large. Therefore, it is a conservation area of significance. The
Loess Plateau—Sichuan-Yunnan ecological barrier, situated at the intersection of
the second tier and third tier of China’s terrains, suffers the most serious water loss
and soil erosion in the country, which may pose severe risks to ecological security if
not handled effectively. In addition, the three belts are also of great importance. For
example, the northeast foreign belt has a direct bearing on the ecological security of
the entire Northeast Plain.
In short, the “two horizontal lines and three vertical lines” will accommodate a
majority of China’s population and economic output, the “seven areas and twentythree belts” will ensure food security for Chinese people, and the “two barriers and
three belts” will ensure China’s ecological security.
7 Spatial Structure
China’s territorial spaces can be divided into the following four categories according
to their purposes.