Abstract: Based on analysis of structure and functions of the eco-economic system of Minqin County, which is located in the lower reaches of the Shiyang River Basin, an indicator system was established for regionalizing of the eco-economic system of the county by function, using the system clustering method. The county was divided into five zones. the northeast irrigated agricultural zone of sandy saline soils, the central town comprehensive development zone, the northwest desert ecological protection zone, southeast ecological agricultural zone, and central riparian agro-forest-animal-husbandry development zone. The characteristics of the structure and functions of the eco-economic systems of the zones, approaches to improvement of the eco-economy systems and orientation of the development of the zones are discussed.

Key words: eco-economic, functional regionalization, system clustering analysis, Shiyang River Basin, Minqin County