What matters for regional economic resilience amid COVID-19? Evidence from cities in Northeast China

This paper examines how the economies of old industrial cities in Northeast China respond to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The notion of resistance in regional economic resilience is used to explore what impact factors shape the response to the early stage of the crisis. The analysis reveals significant differences in terms of regional economic impact between COVID-19 and the 2008 financial crisis. We find that large cities are more vulnerable and exposed to the pandemic at its early stage, state agency plays a crucial role in shaping the economic resistance in most cities. Going beyond the existing 2008 financial crisis-induced account on regional economic resilience, this paper argues that regional resistance amid COVID-19 is not merely shaped by economic structural factors but also influenced by state agency in terms of economic restriction and restoration measures. The study suggests that the nature of COVID-19 as a particular context of crisis itself needs to be taken seriously when exploring the determinants and outcomes of regional economic resilience.

Automated summary

This paper examines the economic response and resilience of old industrial cities in Northeast China to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis. It explores the factors that shape the early-stage response to the crisis using the concept of resistance in regional economic resilience. The analysis reveals significant differences in the regional economic impact between COVID-19 and the 2008 financial crisis, with larger cities being more vulnerable. The study highlights the crucial role of state agency in shaping economic resistance, and argues that the nature of COVID-19 as a crisis context needs to be seriously considered when studying regional economic resilience.