Li, Ching Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-108). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Contents --- p.v / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Contribution --- p.3 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Background --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- China's County-level Fiscal & Administrative System --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Changing Structure of the Intergovernmental Transfer System --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3 --- Forces Shaping the Current Intergovernmental Transfer System --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Literature Review --- p.27 / Chapter 3.1 --- Literature on the Theories of Intergovernmental Transfers Relevant to China --- p.27 / Chapter Chapter Four --- "Model Specification, Data and Empirical Strategy" --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1 --- Basic Specification --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2 --- Data --- p.47 / Chapter 4.3 --- Panel Data Estimation --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Estimation Results --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1 --- Selection of Panel Data Model --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Estimation Results for Real Earmarked Transfers Per Capita (REARPC) --- p.62 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Estimation Results for Real Tax Rebates Per Capita (RREBPC) --- p.64 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Estimation Results for Real Transitional Intergovernmental Transfer Per Capita (RTRAPC) --- p.67 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Estimation Results for Real Wage Adjustment Transfers Per Capita (RWAGPC) --- p.70 / Chapter 5.2 --- Problems with Estimation & Robustness of Results --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Data problems & Robustness --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Different Sets of Explanatory Variables --- p.75 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Hausman-Taylor model: An Experiment --- p.77 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Conclusions and Policy Implications --- p.83 / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of Salient Findings --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2 --- Policy Implications --- p.85 / Appendix 1 --- p.90 / Appendix II --- p.93 / References --- p.97