Potential for regional economic development of China based on weighted principal components TOPSIS valuation function model

China has made remarkable achievements since the reform and opening up for 30 years, simultaneously development gaps between regions are widening gradually. In order to narrow the development gap between regions and promote coordinated development of region economy, China should analyze the potential for regional economic development. This paper has established an index system of potential for regional economic development, and implemented an evaluation among four regions of China by using weighted principal components TOPSIS valuation function model. Results show that: (i) spatial distribution of potential for regional economic development appears that Eastern region is the relatively best, the Northeast takes the second place and Central and Western regions are weaker, and (ii) economic development potential within each region has differences, the research results will be a certain reference for the direction to sustainable development of regional economy.