Comparative Advantage of Water Utilization in Liaoning Province
辽宁省水资源利用的比较优势分析

In order to calculate and analyze the comparative advantage of water utilization in Liaoning province, we developed methods based on comparative advantage theory. We designed a scale advantage index to measure the comparative advantage of water consumption, determined the benefit advantage index based on the efficiency of water utilization, and then estimated the comparative advantage index of water utilization using the scale advantage index and the benefit advantage index. Cluster analysis was applied to assess regional differences in comparative advantage of water utilization in Liaoning province and the influencing factors. Results showed that the comparative advantage of productive water varied by sector. From 1997 to 2005, the comparative advantage index of irrigation water in Liaoning was always less than 1, and the comparative advantage index of forestry/livestock/fisheries water and industrial-use water was more than 1. Compared with the national average, irrigation water in the province had a comparative disadvantage from 1997 to 2005, while forestry/livestock/fisheries water and industrial-use water maintained a comparative advantage throughout. The comparative advantage of productive water in Liaoning province had marked regional differentiation due to differences in natural conditions, precipitation levels, and socio-economic factors. We divided the cities of Liaoning province into three categories: comparative advantage of industrial-use water, comparative disadvantage of industrial-use water, and comparative disadvantage of irrigation water. There were also urban-rural differences in the comparative advantage of residential water. From 1997 to 2005, the comparative advantage index of urban residential water in Liaoning province was always more than 1, but the comparative advantage index of rural residential water was less than 1. Compared with the national average, urban residential water in the province had a comparative advantage but this gradually weakened, while rural residential water had a comparative disadvantage but improved over the study period. The comparative advantage of residential water in Liaoning province had marked regional variation, which was significantly correlated with urbanization ratio. Based on the comparative advantage of residential water, the cities of Liaoning province were divided into two categories: comparative advantage of urban residential water and comparative advantage of rural residential water. Finally, some suggestions for water utilization in Liaoning province were proposed, based on the comparative advantage of water utilization in the province and its cities.