The country's 100 top counties not only serve as an engine for regional economic development, but also a model for the development of rural areas.

Officials from the National Bureau of Statistics made the statement at a two-day economic forum on the most developed counties of China, which ended yesterday in Shaoxing, in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Themed "Innovation, Development and Harmony," the purpose of the forum was to provide a platform for the 100 top counties to exchange development experiences and discuss new ideas for future development, according to organizers.

"The top 10 counties, in terms of overall economic competitiveness, have contributed a lot to the country's harmonious development, especially in solving issues concerning agriculture, villages and farmers," Qiu Xiaohua, vice-director of the National Bureau of Statistics, said.

The top 10 counties, with a combined population of 9.24 million and area of 9,802 square kilometers, include six in eastern Jiangsu Province, two in southern Guangdong Province and two in Zhejiang Province.

They collectively earned a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly 500 billion (US$ 61.7 billion) in 2004, accounting for 3.6 percent of the country's total.

Their export volumes were valued at US$39.4 billion last year, 6.6 percent of the country's total, according to statistics from the bureau.

With favorable geographic locations in the Yangtze River Delta Region or the Pearl River Delta, sound industrial bases and well-developed private businesses, these areas are very attractive to foreign investors, Qiu said.

Official figures show the 10 counties attracted US$420 million in utilized foreign investment last year.

"While other less-developed counties are still struggling with feeble public services and basic infrastructure, these counties already have a relatively mature market-based economy, which is a good example for the other counties to follow," Qiu said.

Moreover, functioning as the connection between cities and villages, developed counties play important roles in the process of urbanization, according to Hou Yan, vice-director of the Social Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission.

"We would encourage large amounts of fluid migrant labor forces to settle in counties during the urbanization process, due to the higher living costs and comparatively fewer job opportunities in cities," Hou said.

(China Daily September 19, 2005)