Lessons of eco-transition of a rural small town: The case of Manzhuang China from raw material processing industries to a circular economy

Eco-transition has been a national priority policy in China. However, underdeveloped areas, such as small towns in rural areas, may face challenges in pursuing this policy due to a shortage of resources and externalities. This research, based on ecological modernisation theory, carried out a case study of Manzhuang , China, to explore how comparatively underdeveloped areas cope with the requirement of eco-transition to a circular economy from raw material processing industries. The research found that eco-transition guided by the concept of eco-modernisation requires integrated social, institutional, technological, and various sub-systems transformation as a whole. It is also necessary to take into account changes in the market. It is not enough to consider the improvement of technology alone. The research also showed that the socio-economic bottleneck relating to middle-stage industrialisation and fierce regional competition for investment has led to a dilemma in implementing such a policy agenda. This situation is particularly acute in underdeveloped areas. It is argued in the research that the local application of a circular economy as a means of implementing sustainable development may lose its significance without macroeconomic restructuring and regional coordination if it is to be achieved in comparatively underdeveloped areas. • In transitioning toward ecological modernisation, raw material process industries need upgrading. • Eco-transition may be impacted by market and other factors that may not be considered in the theoretical debates. • Implementing ecological modernisation in underdeveloped areas is challenging due to a shortage of necessary resources. • Socio-economic bottlenecks and regional competition led to the dilemma of eco-transition in underdeveloped areas. • Strong forms of ecological modernisation with features of systematic. open and democratic are critical to eco-transition.