Regional differences and dynamic evolution of digital trade: data from China

ABSTRACT

Revealing regional differences and evolutionary patterns is a crucial component of studying digital trade development. This paper constructs an evaluation index system for digital trade development and assesses the level of digital trade development in mainland China of 30 provinces from 2013 to 2020. Using methods such as Dagum Gini coefficient, this study investigates the differences in regional development and the spatial dynamic evolution of digital trade development. The findings indicate that (1) while the overall level of digital trade in China is increasing, it manifests unbalanced growth. Additionally, inter-regional difference, as opposed to intra-regional difference, account for the primary source of digital trade development difference, contributing an annual average of 71.699%. (2) The kernel density distribution of digital trade is gradually narrowing. The absolute difference in the level of digital trade development between China and the four regions (east, central, west, and northeast) is progressively diminishing over time. (3) The Moran’s I index is positive, indicating a strong spatial correlation among digital trade development. In the eastern and western regions, there are ‘high-high’ and ‘low-low’ clusters between adjacent provinces; the dynamic transfer of digital trade levels occurs between provinces of adjacent levels, demonstrating the positive effect of proximity.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital trade
• regional differences
• dynamic evolution
• spatial analysis

JEL CLASSIFICATION:

• F10
• F19
• F49

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement for basic data sharing policy

The datasets and materials used or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

¹ Data sources: CAICT, http://www.caict.ac.cn/kxyj/qwfb/bps/202012/P020201216506475945126.pdf. UNCTAD STAT, https://unctadstat. unctad.org/EN/.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by the National Social Science Fund of China [21BJY054] “Research on the mechanism and policy of digital trade promoting the position of China’s global industrial chain”.