What was the leading cause of coastal-inland income disparity after the economic reforms in China?

The coastal-inland income disparity in China after the economic reforms can be attributed to several factors, but the leading cause is often considered to be the geographical advantage of coastal areas and the policy bias favoring these areas. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Geographical Advantage: Coastal areas have a natural advantage due to their proximity to the sea, which makes them more accessible for international trade. After the economic reforms, China opened up to foreign trade and investment, and the coastal areas were the first to benefit from this openness. They attracted a large amount of foreign direct investment (FDI), which led to rapid industrialization and economic growth in these areas.

2. Policy Bias: The Chinese government's policies also favored the coastal areas. The government established Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in these areas, offering tax incentives and other benefits to attract foreign investment. This led to a concentration of industries and businesses in the coastal areas, further widening the income gap with the inland regions.

3. Infrastructure Development: The coastal areas also saw significant infrastructure development, including ports, roads, and airports, which facilitated trade and economic activity. In contrast, the inland regions lagged behind in infrastructure development, which limited their economic growth.

4. Labor Migration: The higher income and better job opportunities in the coastal areas attracted a large number of workers from the inland regions. This labor migration further exacerbated the income disparity as it led to a brain drain in the inland areas.

5. Education and Skill Levels: The coastal areas also had better educational and training facilities, leading to a higher skill level among the workforce. This contributed to higher productivity and incomes in these areas.

In conclusion, the leading cause of the coastal-inland income disparity after the economic reforms in China was a combination of geographical advantages and policy bias favoring the coastal areas. However, other factors such as infrastructure development, labor migration, and differences in education and skill levels also played a significant role.