The main idea of the RAPS-China system is to create a toolbox that can be used by political decision makers, planners and researchers to quickly and easily analyze regional divergences in China's development and to prepare and visualize the results for quick presentation. In essence, RAPS-China is a data-mining application.

This purpose can only be achieved if the system incorporates three basic components:

The main intention of RAPS-China is to provide tools for the users, not solutions. The system should help the user to implement his/her own ideas and concepts. However, the user is free to use default solutions in the form of 6 specialized development indicators (plus one composite index) that come with the application.  

Specialized indices (such as a "Human Development Index" or an "Infrastructure Availability Index") are often used to study the various dimensions of regional development. The RAPS-China system includes a tool for calculating custom indices, such as a regional "Human Development Index" without the need to type in data, organize data files, specify EXCEL spreadsheets, or learn ArcInfo GIS to produce a thematic map.

A user of the RAPS-China tool can quickly construct up to 6 specialized indices (and one "Composite Index") with a few mouse clicks. Moreover, within seconds, the user can produce a thematic map and charts, as well as detailed output tables, for publication or presentation. Ease-of-use was a top priority in the development of RAPS-China.

An index is a very basic, but easy-to-understand, tool for analyzing various aspects of regional diversity. In a policy and planning context indices are frequently used to set political or development priorities or monitor policy measures. For instance, in the European Union, simple indices are used to designate "Objective One" regions, which receive special subsidies. Because of this high political relevance of indices we have started our development of the RAPS-China tool with an "Index Module." We believe, such a module is particularly useful for our main target audience of politicians and planners.

However, we might later include other, more advanced (statistical) procedures to analyze or model the included regional data. Such additional analytical modules can be easily incorporated in the RAPS-China software, due to its modular design.