Moulding intergovernmental relations through tiao-kuai governance: dissecting the multi-scalar politics of intercity railway projects in China

This article explores the dynamics of intergovernmental relations in China, specifically focusing on the tiao-kuai governance system and its role in regional infrastructural development, using intercity railway projects as a case study. The tiao-kuai system, characterised by vertical (tiao) and horizontal (kuai) governance, illustrates the complex interplay between central authority and local autonomy. Drawing on the Territory, Place, Scale and Network (TPSN) framework, this study analyses how multi-scalar politics shape regional competition and governance strategies, particularly in the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta intercity railway projects. Our findings highlight tensions between national priorities and local interests, as well as negotiation processes between various levels of government. This article underscores the importance of both top-down and bottom-up dynamics in regional development, unfolding how state spatial strategies are operationalised in a hybrid model of governance. This study contributes to the understanding of state space and intergovernmental collaboration in China's large-scale infrastructure projects.