Manufacturing Transformation Paths in the Context of Land Policy Impacts: A Case Study Based on the Pearl River Delta Region

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmsd.202512420

Author(s)

Hanjun Lin

Affiliation(s)

Jilin University of Finance and Economics, Changchun, Jilin, China

Abstract

Land policy plays a crucial role in promoting market-oriented reform and industrial transformation within the manufacturing industry. This paper establishes an interdisciplinary framework of "system-behavior-path" and investigates the Pearl River Delta, focusing on comparative case studies of the Zhongshan Torch Development Zone and Taishan Industrial New Town. The study reveals how institutional designs influence enterprise behavior through either incentive or constraint mechanisms. In Zhongshan, the "industrial areas reformation" policy encourages technological upgrading and efficient land use, fostering an endogenous path of "local transformation." Meanwhile, Taishan's "access + subsidy + guidance" approach exemplifies an exogenous path by leveraging location and cost for industrial transfer. The paper suggests strategies to address land resource constraints and manufacturing transformation issues, including comprehensive mechanisms for industrial area reform, adapting land elements to evolving productive forces, enhancing government-enterprise collaboration, and capitalizing on policy "window periods." This provides a theoretical and practical foundation for optimizing land policy and advancing manufacturing transformation.

Keywords

Land Policy; Manufacturing Transformation; Pearl River Delta Region; Market-Oriented Reforms; New Quality Productivity

References

[1] Liu Yishi. The Origin of Western Modern Urban Planning and the Evolution of Land Policy-The Proposal, Practice and Influence of the Idea of Single Land Tax [J/OL]. Urban Planning, 1-8 [2025-06-03]. [2] Chen Xiaoyu, Wang Zhengwei, Chen Juan. Manufacturing Industry Transformation and Upgrading with New Quality Productivity Development -Evidence from the "Management Analysis and Discussion" Text of Enterprises [J]. Industrial Economic Review, 2025(01):28-48. [3] Shang Haiyang, Hu Yue, Wang Yao, et al. Domestic Progress and Trends in Land Policy Research-Analysis of 8,537 Published Papers from 1992 to 2024 [J]. Journal of Earth Sciences and Environmental Science, 2024,46(04):454-469. [4] Xiao Changjiang, Ou Minghao, Li Xin. Research on spatial optimization of construction land allocation based on ecological-economic comparative advantage perspective-Taking Yangzhou as an example [J]. Journal of Ecology, 2015,35(03):696-708. [5] Zhang Yongchao and Guo Jie. The Evolution of China's Rural Homestead Transfer System: A Perspective Based on the Functional Transformation of Homesteads [J]. Social Science Research, 2025(03):14-24. [6] Du Yunneng, Pan Qintian, and Zhang Jingru. A New Concept of Homestead Allocation in Urban-Rural Integration: One Household, One Homestead, One House [J]. Agricultural Economic Issues, 2024(02):135-144. [7] Wang Qingri and Zhang Zhihong. New Urbanization and Rural Land Policy Reform. Modern Urban Studies, 2014(08):20-24. [8] Liu Juren. The Essence, Pathways, Misconceptions and Policy Recommendations of Digital Transformation in Manufacturing Industry [J]. Industrial Economic Review, 2023(01):5-15. [9] Lu Xianxiang, Teng Yufeng. Path dependence in the transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry. [J]. Fujian Forum (Humanities and Social Sciences Edition), 2021(07):31-46. [10] Xie Baoguan, Li Qingwen. Analysis of the Driving Effect of New Quality Productivity on the Transformation and Upgrading of Manufacturing Industry -Based on the Observation of Digital Economy in the Pearl River Delta [J]. Technology Economics and Management Research, 2024, (05):1-10. [11] Lu Weimin and Ma Zuqi. Research on Land Policy and Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Pathways [J]. Zhejiang Academic Journal, 2011, (06):171-175. [12] Yang Nan. New Institutionalism in Political System Research-Ma Xuesong. Review of "Ten Lectures on New Institutionalism Political Science" [J]. Comparative Political Science Research, 2024(02):376-393. [13] Zhang Qianqian. Analysis of Behavioral Science Theory [J]. Contemporary Agricultural Machinery, 2021(05):77-79. [14] Chen You. The significance of New Institutionalism to the improvement of policy research. Theoretical Observation, 2010, (03):13-14. [15] "Study Times (2023) on "Promoting Industrial Upgrading and Industrial Transfer. [16] Urban Dynamic Monitoring Report of Guangdong Province (2021). Guangdong Provincial Department of Natural Resources (2021) [17] Opinions of the People's Government of Guangdong Province on Promoting the High-quality Development of High-tech Industrial Development Zones. People's Government of Guangdong Province (2019) [18] Proposal on Innovative Territorial Space Policy for the Pearl River Delta. Guangdong Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (2020) [19] Deng Limin, Tang Xiaolian, Yi Jiaxing. Study on the spatial-temporal variation and influencing factors of ecological efficiency of industrial land in Guangdong Province [J]. Resource Development and Market, 2021,37(06):678-684. [20] Liu Xiaoling. Land problems and countermeasures in the process of urbanization in Pearl River Delta [J]. Southern Economics, 2003, (02):48-49. [21] "Draw the Red Line, Guard the Territory, and See how the Pearl River Delta supports the 'manufacturing power' " by The Paper (2020) [22] Liu Chuan, Liu Shiman, Huang Manzhi et al., Land Use Issues in the Development of Excellent Small and Medium Enterprises in the Pearl River Delta: A Case Study of Dongguan [J]. Modern Commerce & Industry, 2021,42(29):12-13. [23] Wu Jun, Meng Qian. The Dilemma and Transformation of Territorial Space Governance in the Semi-urbanized Pearl River Delta Region -Solutions Based on Comprehensive Land Consolidation [J]. Urban Planning Journal, 2021(03):66-73. [24] Guo Liang. Land Control by Village Organizations: Functions and Weakening -A Perspective on Understanding Land Rights Conflicts [J]. Academic Monthly, 2018,50(08):104-113. [25] But Jun, Wu Jun, and Yan Yongtao. Land Use Dilemmas and Strategies in Semi-urbanized Areas of the Pearl River Delta-A Study Based on Land Consolidation Practices in Nanhai District, Foshan City and Shenzhen [J]. Urban Development Research, 2020,27(01):118-124. [26] Tian Guangming. Practice and Reflections on the Redevelopment of Inefficient Construction Land in Pearl River Delta Region [J]. China Land, 2023(05):18-21. [27] Yan Jinming, Li Chu, and Xia Fangzhou. Strategic Considerations on Deepening the Market-oriented Reform of Land Factors. Journal of Reform, 2020(10):19-32. [28] Overview of the Torch. Zhongshan Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone Government Website (2024) [29] How to revitalize the old industrial areas? Zhongshan, Guangdong province adds another sample of "industrial reform" in Shabian. Democracy and Legal System Network (2023) [30] Liu Lijuan: Industrial Transfer and Coordinated Development of Counties. South China University of Technology Institute of Public Policy (2023) [31] Dong Jinlian and Chao Heng. "Exploring the Continuous Renewal Model of Industrial-to-Industrial Transformation" -Practice and Reflections on the Planning of Industrial-to-Industrial Transformation Zones in Zhongshan Torch Development Zone [J]. Journal of Urban Planning, 2022,38(02):83-89. [32] Tang Yugang and Zhang Hehe. Research on China's Characteristic Paired Assistance and Its Effects: Evidence from the "Enclave Economy" of the Pearl River Delta [J]. Finance & Trade Economics, 2024,45(04):20-35. [33] Yang Haosen. Analysis of the Motivational Factors of China's Manufacturing Industry Transformation [J]. Economic Forum, 2024(09):30-37. [34] Fan Baoqun, Zheng Shilin, Huang Qing. China's manufacturing industry relocation: Current situation and enlightenment [J]. Journal of Zhejiang Gongshang University, 2022, (06):85-99. [35] Qu Futian, Ma Xianlei, Guo Guancheng. Governance in Developing Countries: Institutional Logic and Fundamental Experiences of a Century of Land Policy [J]. Management World, 2021,37(12):1-15. [36] ADIZES I. Corporate Lifecycles: How and Why Corpora⁃ tions Grow and Die and What to Do About It[M]. The Adizes Institute，1990. [37] Yu Haochen and Yin Dengyu. Development of New Quality Productivity and Land Resource Allocation: Historical Logic, Theoretical Logic and Realistic Logic. Journal of Chinese Land Science, 2024,38(05):29-37. [38] "New Path, New Platform, New System -Breaking the Path to create a new engine for development in the Pearl River Delta" Xinhua News Agency (2023) [39] Zhang Qianxiao and Duan Yixue. Digital Empowerment, Industrial Chain Integration and Total Factor Productivity [J]. Economic Management, 2023,45(04):5-21. [40] Lan Faqin and Zhou Shengdi. Digital Transformation, Optimal Enterprise Size and Mergers & Acquisitions [J/OL]. World Economy, 2025(04):197-228 [2025-06-03].