Comprehensive Development Evaluation of Main Inland Ports on the Yangtze River

The Yangtze River basin, with its numerous ports, is the most important economic belt in China. In order to study the development of the main ports on the Yangtze River, an evaluation index system for the development of inland river ports was constructed from the perspectives of port endogenous variables, port city economy and port development potential. Furthermore, the Catastrophe progression method and coupling degree model was used to study the linkage degree of port and city economic development. Combined with the obstacle factor diagnosis model, the obstacle factors affecting the development of major ports on the Yangtze River were identified. The empirical results show that: the comprehensive development level of the major ports on the Yangtze River is significantly different, the regional development is uncoordinated. The regional difference between the port development and the city's economic coordination degree is large, and the economic development level of the city where the port is located is positive related with the quality of port development. Port infrastructure and foreign trade are the main factors affecting the development of inland ports, and the specific constraints vary from port to port.