The China National Development and Reform Commission published the results of a study of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions that measured economic, technological, and social openness. Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong were ranked the top three with scores of 84.7, 68.1, and 56.9 respectively while Guizhou, Qinghai, and Tibet were ranked the bottom three with scores of 3.4, 6.5, and 7. The report showed Beijing tied with Shanghai on social openness and on technological openness; it scored the highest among the top three. However, its economic openness was far behind Shanghai and Guangdong. Among the four economic zones, the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta had the highest scores in openness but the Bohai Economic Rim and the Sichuan/Chongqing district lagged behind.
Source: Xinhua, April 1, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-04/01/c_122916340.htm