Abstract:

 This paper proposes and confirms a theoretical hypothesis that transferring officials with work experience in South China in North China can promote economic growth in North China and balance north - south economic development. Further research finds that when both secretaries and provincial governors have southern work experiences, the promoting effect is larger, while their northern experiences weaken this promoting effect. The reform of the official assessment mechanism and the transfer of political power have no significant impacts on it. In addition, the northern experiences of southern officials have no significant influences on economic growth in South China. Mechanism analysis suggests that, officials' southern experience can promote economic growth by optimizing capital allocation, improving total factor productivity, and promoting the establishment of private and foreign–funded enterprises. Finally, this promotion effect is greater in areas with low levels of marketization, central and western regions, and areas with poor innovation environments.

Key words:

“South-to-North officials diversion", southern work experience, regional economic growth

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