Abstract
Correlation between financial development and economic growth is an important
issue in economics needing further scrutiny. In this paper, the author applies the mature
theory in the field of financial development to the practice in Shanghai, with the
purpose of presenting a nationwide picture of the above-mentioned correlation through
an empirical study. The author also hopes that this attempt can serve as a guideline in
the construction of regional theory which will boost Shanghai’s financial development
in a sound and sustainable way.
The paper first gives a brief account of the theory of financial development in
western countries and related empirical studies, as well as those by Chinese scholars.
Theoretical analysis and conclusions meeting China’s situation are incorporated as the
basis and beginning.
Secondly, the paper recounts the history and describes the current situation of
finance in Shanghai. Since the reforming China, Shanghai has grown into an enormous
economic hub, leading in industry and strong in resource allocation. Meanwhile,
development over the two decades has made Shanghai a national financial center, with
well-structured markets of currency, foreign exchange, capital, future and gold.
Then, from the theoretical perspective, the paper proceeds to do its empirical
analysis of the correlation between financial development and economic growth in
Shanghai. Indices chosen to reflect financial development are financial instruments,
security market and insurance market, and those chosen for economic growth are
growth rate of GDP per capita, investment, capital, savings and investment efficiency.
To do the empirical analysis of the correlation, Econometrical methods are employed. It
is shown by the regression model that correlation between actual interest rate and
economic growth in Shanghai cannot be construed in a straightforward theory, but
behaves in a rather erratic way. Meanwhile, underdevelopments in the financial
instruments, security market and insurance markets pose an urgent question calling for
immediate concerns, as the financial institutions in banking, security and insurance need