In the post 1978 period, China has witnessed dramatic economic growth rates. Today, China is part of the G-20 and is considered as a “newly industrializing country.” In other words, China is perceived as one of the possible dominant developed economies of the future with its relatively huge and young population, cheap labor force, increasing human capital and etc. Yet, one of the most vital components of this marvelous development story has been neglected, namely, port-cities, which are the gateways of China to the world market. The top eight port cities, which are Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Xiamen according to the 2010 ranking in terms of container throughput, display the central role of cities in the Chinese development. These top eight port cities constitute about 17% of the total GDP and 40% of the national total foreign trade of China, compared to 333 regions at the prefecture level and 2859 regions at the county level, of which 283 and 368 are cities, respectively. In this regard, this study investigates the mechanisms behind the development of Chinese port cities. In other words, the integration of the Chinese port-cities into the world market is examined. Statistical analysis, in particular linear regression analysis, is used. It is found that Secondary Industry is the main factor behind this development, and consequently behind the integration of Chinese port cities into the world market.

In the post 1978 period, China has witnessed dramatic economic growth rates. Today, China is part of the G-20 and is considered as a “newly industrializing country.” In other words, China is perceived as one of the possible dominant developed economies of the future with its relatively huge and young population, cheap labour force, increasing human capital and etc. Yet, one of the most vital components of this marvellous development story has been neglected, namely, port-cities, which are the gateways of China to the world market. The top eight port cities, which are Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Xiamen according to the 2010 ranking in terms of container throughput, display the central role of cities in the Chinese development. These top eight port cities constitute about 17% of the total GDP and 40% of the national total foreign trade of China, compared to 333 regions at the prefecture level and 2859 regions at the county level, of which 283 and 368 are cities, respectively. In this regard, this study investigates the mechanisms behind the development of Chinese port cities. In other words, the integration of the Chinese port-cities into the world market is examined. Statistical analysis, in particular linear regression analysis, is used. It is found that Secondary Industry is the main factor behind this development, and consequently behind the integration of Chinese port cities into the world market.