對大陸近年推動之「西部大開發」計劃而言,「三線」建設無疑係其前驅典範。當此開發雄圖正待大幅展放之際,學界似應對其中之「國家角色」,進行較嚴肅的思考。而對此的檢討,最值參考者,莫過於六○年代的「三線」建設。本文於是透過「三線」經驗的回顧,希望喚起對區域計劃中的「國家介入」,再一次進行反省。文中首先勾勒「三線」的時空範疇及其起迄經過,次而推敲當年的建設規模,並嘗試描繪「三線」的關鍵特徵,期能藉此成為進一步分析「三線」經驗的張本。此外,本文並就「三線」建設的經濟成效,重加評價,並對「三線」建設之目的及其與「西部大開發」間的關聯,進行較仔細的辨正。
In recent years, the ”Go West” campaign has become an obsession throughout western China. To carry out this ambitious development project, the state has been expected to assume a central role. The question that must be addressed, however, is: Can a state-led project really benefit China's far west? To respond to this question, the author suggests we look back and learn from the Third Front, the precursor of today's regional development project. Unfortunately, up to now, this massive investment and construction programme is still “almost totally unknown”to most students of Chinese politics and economy. This paper traces the purpose of the Third Front, characterizes its features, determines its magnitude, and evaluates its input-output efficiency. By doing so, this paper should add to our understanding of this massive economic failure under Chinese communist regime.