disparity and difference

[bingbing]

The regional disparity in development between south and north China will, like the case between east and west China, further widen, as bigger influxes of investment flood the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta.

Can the word 'disparity'used above be replaced by "difference"?
To me, the word 'disparity"smacks of "great difference".Am I right in this regard?

[Casiopea]

The regional disparity in development between south and north China will, like the case between east and west China, further widen, as bigger influxes of investment flood the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta.

Can the word 'disparity' used above be replaced by "difference"?
To me, the word 'disparity" smacks of "great difference". Am I right in this regard?

Yes. 'difference' would work, but, it wouldn't express the same meaning as 'disparity', which means difference in terms of inequality, incongruity.

:D