Evaluating the transformation of China’s industrial development mode during 2000–2009

Following the global trend of sustainable development, the concepts of transformation of industrial development mode and “the New Road to Industrialization with Chinese Characteristics” were proposed in China around the year of 2000. Today, the transformation has been carried out for 10 years, and the effects and problems as well as experiences are worth discussing. This research aims to establish an index system of China’s industrial transformation. The weight of each indicator which is in the index system is calculated by the two methods: entropy weight and analytic hierarchy process (AHP), respectively, for the purpose of high reliability. The transformation from 2000 to 2009 is evaluated by the method of weighted average. The results demonstrate that China’s industrial development mode has been changing progressively. However, a number of problems still remain, for instance, China’s ability of withstanding external crises is still weak, the situation of human capital is still unable to meet the needs of transformation, the conversion rate of independent innovation achievements is low, the effect of industrial structure adjustment is unsatisfactory, the housing price is relatively high, and also the rich-poor divide in China posts a great threat. Then, several suggestions related to the problems mentioned above are put forward. The development of index system and methods are aimed to form a set of useful tools for policy-makers to facilitate the transformation of industrial development mode and support sustainable development.