Abstract: This paper analyzed the regional disparities and spatial-temporal evolution of China's R&D investment during 2001-2011 based on the 31 provincial units. The research employed R&D intensity as the major measuring index, and used other methods such as traditional Statistic analysis, Markov chains and ESDA. The result shows as follows. ①The absolute disparity of China's provincial R&D investment had widened while the comparative disparity had narrowed. China's provincial R&D investment had shown a significant feature of spatial autocorrelation since 2006. The areas with similar features clustered in space, and the trend was strengthening except in 2009, indicating that the overall space difference was narrowing. There was a remarkable phenomenon of "Club Convergence", and the transition probability between different clubs was small. ②Concerning to the overall spatial framework, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces in the eastern coastal area were experiencing club upward mobility, Shanxi and Sichuan in the western area and Liaoning and in the Jilin northeast area were at club downward mobility. Areas with high R&D investment were transforming from a scattered pattern to concentrated in the southeastern coastal area, especially on Beijing and Shanghai. In contrast, areas with low R&D investment were more and more concentrated in the central, western and northeast areas. In general, the spatial disparity of R&D investment had been enlarging between the eastern and western area, and manifested an obvious tendency of polarization. ③The spatial pattern of the growth of R&D investment also showed a strong trend of spatial autocorrelation, and formed the layer structure circling around Yangtze River Delta and Shandong-Anhui-Jiangxi towards the Middle and West area. The hot spot areas used to be scattered around the Beijing-Tianjin city-region and Pan-Yangtze River Delta. However, it is now concentrated in Yangtze River Delta and spreading outwards. The numbers of the sub-hot spot areas increased quickly. These sub-hot spot areas surrounded the hot spot areas, indicating that the hot spot areas had strong demonstration and radiation effects. On the other hand, the cold spot areas were decreasing sharply, all concentrated in the west. Based on the above conclusion and the cause analysis of regional disparities and spatial-temporal evolution of China's R&D investment, the following suggestions were put forward. Firstly, to construct the diversified R&D investment system dominated by market mechanism and based on enterprises. Secondly, to stimulate the spillover effect from the eastern growth pole to reduce the innovation costs in the middle and western area. Thirdly, to promote the economic development in the middle and western area. At the same time, Shanxi, Sichuan and Hubei should strive for the early realization of the club's upwards mobility, so as to bring more central and western provinces to enjoy the spillover effect. Finally, other governments and social supports are required to ensure the spillover effect between regions.

Key words: R&D investment, regional disparities, spatial-temporal pattern, cause analysis