Abstract
In late November 2014, while attending a science exhibition on human settlement at the National Museum, Premier Li Keqiang posed a question to society and scientists regarding the Hu Huanyong Line, which the media subsequently dubbed “the Premier’s question”. This increased awareness and interest in the Hu Huanyong Line and launched a lively debate which provoked a variety of views. In an attempt to address the Premier’s question, this paper firstly reviews the origins of the Hu Huanyong Line, named after the famous population geographer who proposed it in 1935 as part of a wider debate on domestic overpopulation. Using demographic data from China’s first, fifth and sixth censuses, as well as the ArcGIS platform, we analyze the size, proportion and density of populations in the areas southeast and northwest of the Hu Huanyong Line, showing that urbanization and migration have not changed the pattern of population distribution observed by Hu Huanyong. Based on this, we suggest that the pattern of a dense population southeast of the line and sparse population northwest of the line will not fundamentally change for a relatively long time, nor will the situation of urban agglomerations being mainly found in the southeastern region. We also argue that climate and other physical geographic conditions determine that the Hu Huanyong Line shall remain in place. We believe that the question posed by Premier Li Keqiang is solvable, and that with positive policy guidance and rational spatial organization, the northwestern region can achieve more modernization and better quality urbanization, while the same is true for the central region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ding Jinhong, Liu Zhenyu, Cheng Danming et al., 2005. Areal differentiation of inter-provincial migration in China and characteristics of the flow field. Acta Geographica Sinica, 60 (1): 106–114. (in Chinese)
Fan Jie, Liu Yi, Chen Tian et al., 2013a. The key strategies and innovative thinking for optimization on spatial pattern of urbanization in China. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 28 (1): 20–27. (in Chinese)
Fan Jie, Wang Qiang, Zhou Kan et al., 2013b. Preliminary research on spatial pattern of urbanization in mountainous areas of China. City Planning Review, 37 (5): 9–15. (in Chinese)
Feng Zhiming, Tang Yan, Yang Yanzhao et al., 2007. The relief degree of land surface in China and its correlation with population distribution. Acta Geographica Sinica, 62 (10): 1073–1082. (in Chinese)
Feng Zhiming, Yang Yanzhao, You Zhen et al., 2014. Research on the suitability of population distribution at the county level in China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 69 (6): 723–737. (in Chinese)
Ge Meiling, Feng Zhiming, 2008. Research on distribution pattern of population of China in 2000 based on GIS: Compared with Hu Huanyong’s research in 1935. Population Research, 32 (1): 51–57. (in Chinese)
Ge Meiling, Feng Zhiming, 2009. Population distribution of China based on GIS: Classification of population densities and curve of population gravity centers. Acta Geographica Sinica, 64 (2): 203–210. (in Chinese)
Hu Huanyong, 1935. The distribution of population in China, with statistics and maps. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2 (2): 33–74. (in Chinese)
Jia Kang, Su Jingchun, 2015. Hu Line: “Half pressure type” of environmental pressure and targeted management strategy in China. Journal of the Party School of the Central Committee of the C.P.C., 19 (1): 64–75. (in Chinese)
Jia Shaofeng, 2014. Premier Li, it is unworkable to break Hu Line! http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-267937-850831.html, 2014-12-14. (in Chinese)
Kuang Xianming, 2014. One Belt One Road: A way to break Hu Line. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily. http://sztqb.sznews.com/html/2014-12/01/content_3079606.htm, 2014-12-01. (in Chinese)
Li Peilin, 2015. New urbanization and the break of Hu Line. People’s Daily. http://theory.people.com.cn/n/ 2015/0108/c40531-26347255.html, 2015-01-18. (in Chinese)
Liu Guixia, 2004. The origin of Aihui-Tengchong population line. Map, (6): 48–51. (in Chinese)
Liu Jingsong, 2014. A review of population geography research in China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 69 (8): 1177–1189. (in Chinese)
Liu Weidong, Lu Dadao, 2005. Methodological basis for making regional spatial planning in China in the new era. Acta Geographica Sinica, 60 (6): 894–902. (in Chinese)
Liu Yanhua, Wang Qiang, 2001. Optimized population distribution in China: On provincial sustainable development. China Population, Resources and Environment, 11 (1): 34–37. (in Chinese)
Lu Dadao, 2001. An analysis of spatial structure and optimal regional development. Acta Geographica Sinica, 56 (2): 127–135. (in Chinese)
Lu Dadao 2003. New factors and new patterns of regional development in China. Geographical Research, 22 (3): 261–271. (in Chinese)
Lu Dadao, 2011. Development of geographical sciences and research on global change in China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 66 (2): 147–156. (in Chinese)
Lu Dadao, 2014. Economic belt construction is the best choice of economic development layout. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 34 (7): 769–772. (in Chinese)
Shen Jianfa, 2005. Analysis of the trends of urbanization levels in Chinese provinces since 1982. Acta Geographica Sinica, 60 (4): 607–614. (in Chinese)
Tien, H. Y., 1973. China’s Population Struggle: Demographic Decisions of the People’s Republic of China, 1949–1969. Ohio State University Press.
Tien, H. Y., 1981. Demography in China: From zero to now. Population Index, 47 (4): 683–710.
Wang Guixin, 1997. China’s population distribution and regional economic development. Shanghai: East China Normal University Press, 200–201. (in Chinese)
Wang Jingai, 1998. The pattern of China's population distribution and the sustainable development. Journal of Beijing Normal University (Social Sciences), (1): 72–80. (in Chinese)
Wang Zheng, 2014. Two keys to break Hu Line. Wenhui Daily, http://www.qstheory.cn/zhuanqu/bkjx/2014-12/02/c_1113487608.htm, 2014-12-02. (in Chinese)
Wang Zheng, Zhang Peiyuan, 1995. On the ecological sensitive zone in China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 15 (3): 319–326. (in Chinese)
Wu Chuanjun, 2001. Contributions of master Hu Huanyong to the development of modern geography in China. Human Geography, 16 (5): 1–4. (in Chinese)
Wu Jing, Wang Zheng, 2008. Agent-based simulation on the evolution of population geography of China during the past 2000 years. Acta Geographica Sinica, 63 (2): 185–194. (in Chinese)
Xie Gaodi, Zhang Changshun, Zhang Linbo et al., 2012. China’s county-scale ecological regionalization. Journal of Natural Resources, 27 (1): 154–162. (in Chinese)
Yang Fang, 2014. Premier Li Keqiang’s question: How to break Hu Line? http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2014-11/29/ content_2784676.htm, 2014-11-29. (in Chinese)
Zhu Yu, 2006. New forms of urbanization and China’s urbanization policies. Human Geography, 21 (2): 115–118, 128. (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation: National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41671125, No.41601121; Programme of Bingwei Excellent Young Scientists of the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, No.2015RC202; National Science and Technology Support Program, No.2012BAJ15B02
Chen Mingxing (1982–), PhD and Associate Professor, specialized in urbanization and regional development.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, M., Gong, Y., Li, Y. et al. Population distribution and urbanization on both sides of the Hu Huanyong Line: Answering the Premier’s question. J. Geogr. Sci. 26, 1593–1610 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-016-1346-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-016-1346-4