Are cities greener because of innovation?Independent innovation policy and green economic efficiency

The national independent innovation demonstration zone(NIIDZ)is an independent innovation policy that plays a crucial role in implementing strategies.Given the importance of the NIIDZ,this study uses panel data of 278 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2020 and empirically examines the effect and internal mechanism of the NIIDZ on green economic efficiency(GEE)using the difference-in-difference model(DID).The results show that the NIIDZ effectively enhances the growth of GEE,and the results remain valid through several robustness tests,such as year-by-year propensity score matching.The transmission mechanism suggests that the NIIDZ indirectly drives GEE by accelerating scientific and technological investment,promoting talent concentration,and optimizing the industrial structure.Moreover,heterogeneity analysis reveals that the promotion effect of the NIIDZ on GEE is more prominent in the eastern region and high green development level areas.The study’s findings can serve as a reference for China to further utilize the policy effectiveness of the NIIDZ and accelerate the high-quality development of the green economy in the future.

Urban Dynamics and Emergence of New Centers in the Dakar Region (Senegal)

Due to the status of the Dakar region as the former capital of AOF (French West Africa) and current capital of the Republic of Senegal, it is home to a very large part of the population and most of the socio-economic, administrative and cultural activities on a very small area of the country (0.28%). This situation makes it a very attractive region and subject to strong land pressure. The objective of this article is to study past and current urban dynamics as well as changes in natural spaces, in order to identify new urban centers. The methodological approach consists in analyzing satellite images to understand the evolution of different forms of spatial occupation in the Dakar region, and to study population movement flows and urban forms in order to reveal new urban centers. The results of the study show that the Dakar urban space is characterized by diverse forms which express a heterogeneous set of spaces. They also revealed the emergence of new clusters between 1986 and 2016, notably Ngor, Grand Yoff, Parcelles Assainies in the North-West, and Keur Massar and the North of the communes of Rufisque in the eastern part of the Dakar region.

Review of multi-objective optimization in long-term energy system models

Modeling and optimizing long-term energy systems can provide solutions to various energy and environmental policies involving public-interest issues.The conventional optimization of long-term energy system models focuses on a single economic goal.However,the increasingly complex demands of energy systems necessitate the comprehensive consideration of multiple dimensional objectives,such as environmental,social,and energy security.Therefore,a multi-objective optimization of long-term energy system models has been developed.Herein,studies pertaining to the multi-objective optimization of long-term energy system models are summarized;the optimization objectives of long-term energy system models are classified into economic,environmental,social,and energy security aspects;and the multi-objective optimization methods are classified and explained based on the preferential expression of decision makers.Finally,the key development direction of the multi-objective optimization of energy system models is discussed.

A review of uncertain factors and analytic methods in long-term energy system optimization models

A larger number of uncertain factors in energy systems influence their evolution.Owing to the complexity of energy system modeling,incorporating uncertainty analysis to energy system modeling is essential for future energy system planning and resource allocation.This study focusses on long-term energy system optimization model.The important uncertain parameters in the model are analyzed and divided into policy,economic,and technical factors.This study specifically addresses the challenges related to carbon emission reduction and energy transition.It involves collecting and organizing relevant research on uncertainty analysis of long-term energy systems.Various energy system uncertainty modeling methods and their applications from the literature are summarized in this review.Finally,important uncertainty factors and uncertainty modeling methods for long-term energy system modeling are discussed,and future research directions are proposed.

Evolution of the Spatial Distribution of Basic Infrastructures and Services in the Niakhar Area (Fatick), Senegal

Basic infrastructures and services present an important socio-economic and territorial equity issue, because the availability of these makes it possible to improve the living conditions of populations, makes territories attractive and stimulates their development. The objective of our study has been achieved, so our results provided information on the rate of propagation of basic infrastructures and services, as well as the evolution of the forms of spatial distribution of the latter. The data used comes from the census and geolocation of basic infrastructures and services in the Niakhar area, carried out by the IRD in 2018. Centrographic measurements were used to describe the overall spatial distribution and the use of chi-square statistics confirmed the existence of a preferential direction of distribution. To verify the existence of a spatial structure of infrastructure and service seeding, the Ripley statistic is used. Our results can be useful for land use planning and spatial resource allocation policies. Indeed, the identification of different types of spatial aggregates and the highlighting of the preferred directions of the distribution of basic infrastructures and services, make it possible to correct disparities in the spatial distribution of basic resources.

Drivers for Inter-city Innovation Networks Across Chinese Cities:Modelling Physical Versus Intangible Effects

Cross-region innovation is widely recognized as an important source of the long-term regional innovation capacity.In the recent past,a growing number of studies has investigated the network structure and mechanisms of cross-region innovation collaboration in various contexts.However,existing research mainly focuses on physical effects,such as geographical distance and high-speed railway connections.These studies ignore the intangible drivers in a changing environment,the more digitalized economy and the increasingly solidified innovation network structure.Thus,the focus of this study is on estimating determinants of innovation networks,especially on intangible drivers,which have been largely neglected so far.Using city-level data of Chinese patents(excluding Hong Kong,Macao,and Taiwan Province of China),we trace innovation networks across Chinese cities over a long period of time.By integrating a measure on Information and Communications Technology(ICT)development gap and network structural effects into the general proximity framework,this paper explores the changing mechanisms of Chinese innovation networks from a new perspective.The results show that the structure of cross-region innovation networks has changed in China.As mechanisms behind this development,the results confirm the increasingly important role of intangible drivers in Chinese inter-city innovation collaboration when controlling for effects of physical proximity,such as geographical distance.Since digitalization and coordinated development are the mainstream trends in China and other developing countries,these countries'inter-city innovation collaboration patterns will witness dramatic changes under the influence of intangible drivers.

Digitalization’s Effects on Income Growth and Distribution-Evidence from the CHDES Database

Using the CHDES database,we created the CIDI to comprehensively quantify digital adoption at the individual level and examine digitalization’s impact on individual income.Empirical analysis results indicate that increasing the CIDI by one standard deviation(0.13)improves individual income by 5.93 percentage points,which remains true after a series of endogeneity and robustness tests.In the heterogeneity analysis,we discovered that when digital adoption grows,residents in the countryside and county seats can earn more money through internet business operations and other channels.This helps to decrease the urban-rural income divide,but it has also pushed those digitally skilled into high-paying sectors,widening the income gaps between sectors.In the mechanism analysis,we developed an income function that takes into account the individual level of digitalization to show that digitalization can boost income by increasing working hours or labor participation and adjusting the portfolio of individual material,human,and social capital.In this paper,we have expanded the system for measuring the individual levels of digitalization by offering basic data,research methodology,and policy suggestions for the digital economy’s inclusive development.

Hierarchy of Rural Localities in the Niakhar Area (Fatick, Senegal)

Although the study of the hierarchy of localities presents an important social and economic stake, studies focused on the hierarchy of rural localities are relatively weak, especially in Africa. It is important to highlight the hierarchy of rural areas in order to reveal poles that can support sustainable growth. Our main objective is to study the hierarchy of rural localities in the Niakhar area, using a geographic approach. The data come from the Niakhar demographic, epidemiological and environmental observatory database and the Niakhar Atlas project of the French Research Institute for Development (IRD). The net flow method, the primacy index, the median population threshold method and the measurement of the correlation between level of centrality and population size are used to analyze the data. Our study allowed us to determine the main types of centrality and to establish the hierarchy of rural localities in the Niakhar zone. It also highlighted the strong correlation between the rank of localities and the size of the population of the latter. The main contribution of our work is to have highlighted, in order, the structuring localities of the rural space of the Niakhar area, by combining several indicators of centrality.

Evaluation of the Physical and Chemical Fertility of Soils in the Sylvopastoral Zone: Case of the Pilot Site of the National Institute of Pedology in the Commune of Kelle Gueye (Louga/Senegal)

The study of the reference state of the physico-chemical fertility of the soils of the pilot site of the National Institute of Pedology in the commune of Kelle Gueye to test the effect of phosphocomposte on cowpea and groundnut, allowed us to better understand the aptitudes of the above-mentioned crops. The methodology used consisted of taking soil samples on a regular 25 m grid, carrying out complete physico-chemical analyses at the INP laboratory and an analysis of climatic parameters. The results obtained were used to produce thematic maps to better interpret the various parameters. The physico-chemical analyses at the 0 - 20 cm horizon show a pH (6.1 - 7.9) close to neutral and a non-saline soil (EC < 250 μS/cm). The site is poor in organic matter;it is of the order of 0.1 ≤ MO ≤ 0.9. The granulometric results determined from a laser granulometry which gives more precision, show that the soils have a texture dominated by fine sands with more than 50% in the site. This study reveals that the site is suitable for groundnut and cowpea cultivation. However, some chemical parameters need to be improved to make the soil more fertile.

Climbing the Export Quality Ladder:Role of Human Capital

This study assesses the effect of human capital expansion on China's export product quality.It employs the difference-in-differences(DID)framework based on a quasi-natural experiment investigating the 1999 higher education enrollment expansion as the exogenous policy shock.The empirical results confirm that human capital expansion appreciably improved the quality of China's export products.Human capital expansion promoted the transformation and upgrading of old products and the development of new products in term of intensive margin;it strengthened the endowment advantages of incumbent high-quality export enterprises while preventing low-quality enterprises from entering the market through price competition on the extensive margin.This prevented quality decline.Further,the study reveals that the improvement effect driven by human capital came from both innovation-induced and managerial efficiency improvement channels and was more prominent for large or foreign-funded enterprises in the eastern region.Our findings highlight the role of human capital in China's remarkable export performance from an endogenous growth perspective.

A Theory of Digital Economy Development:An Examination of the Practice of Chinese Platforms

Grasping the development trends and patterns of the digital economy and promoting the integrated development of the digital and the real economy is a strategic choice for China's construction of new competitive advantages.Based on case studies of the growth of e-commerce,this paper develops five microeconomic propositions about the following issues:the microeconomic features of data factor that differ from traditional production factors;optimal decision-making for digital enterprises;“data+platform”architecture,data transaction governance,and digital infrastructure supply.We apply these theoretical propositions to enterprise innovative practices in different application scenarios such as driverless vehicles and manufacturing digitalization.This paper provides a systematic and consistent theoretical framework for analyzing platform business model innovation and accurately identifying issues of institutional construction that promote the integrated development of the digital and the real economy.

Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative:The case of Pakistan

This study investigates the macroeconomic impact of the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)on Pakistan using the synthetic control method.Based on the panel data of 42 non-BRI countries,we construct a synthetic Pakistan to estimate the economic growth trend of the country without the BRI.By comparing the actual economy with the synthetic case,our results show that the BRI increases the annual per capita GDP growth rate of Pakistan from 3.04%to 4.69%for the period 2013-2018.Pakistan’s per capita GDP in 2018 would have been Int$5,022 instead of Int$5,567 if the BRI had not existed.The outcomes of the in-time placebo test,in-place placebo test,and dropping sample test all confirm the robust impact of the BRI on Pakistan.

我国制造业能源消耗强度变化的因素分解——基于结构份额和效率份额视角

在借鉴已有研究成果基础上,将能源消耗强度分解为结构份额和效率份额两个因素,并测算了1994-2006年我国制造业中能源消耗强度中两个因素的变化情况,分析了制造业产业结构调整和能源效率提高对能源消耗强度的影响。研究结果表明:我国制造业能源消耗强度在不断下降,原因是产业结构调整和能源使用效率提高的综合影响。两者对降低能源消耗强度都有正面作用,同时,能源使用效率提高作用略大于产业结构调整作用。

Digital Technology Empowers China's Service Sector Growth:Mechanism and Implementation Path

Digital technology is an instrument and vehicle for digital empowerment and the development of the digital economy.Digital applications in the service sector have spawned new business modes over recent years such as industrial internet platforms,new retail and online education,which have contributed to China s service sector growth and transition.With the help of digital technology,the service sector has maintained rapid growth,improved in terms of structure,quality and efficiency,increased public welfare,and enhanced indigenous innovation.In light of inadequate and uneven progress of digitalization and insufficient factor support and government incentives,we suggest that the government further advance digitalization development across the board,bolster factor support,and enhance policymaking.

Digital Consumption and Manufacturing Industry's Digital Transition

As a form of consumption based on the digital content and traits of goods and services,digital consumption is characterized by a strong dependence on the digital technology infrastructure,precise identification of consumer demand,adaptability to new business modes,swift consumer feedback and response,and great market potentials.Under the dual driving forces of technology empowerment and consumption upgrade,China s digital consumption has been growing rapidly,digitalization is empowering traditional sectors of consumption,and the consumption of digital content is expanding.Consumer potential for digital consumption is being unleashed in low-tier cities,and new-generation consumers are gaining influence.With an increasing number of digital consumers,new consumption modes and services have proliferated thanks to the improving digital infrastructure.Growing digital consumption has created an increasing demand-pulling effect that spurs product and service innovation,corporate internal process digitalization,and changes in corporate organization and decision-making.Driven by digital consumption,industrial chain upgrade and restructuring and business mode innovations will improve user experience and firm efficiency,contributing to the quality,efficiency,and dynamism of the manufacturing industry.Amid surging digital consumption,the digital transition of manufacturing is still faced with some problems and challenges.It is important to deepen the user-centric concepts and modes of value creation,create a differentiated service system,optimize digital resource allocation,enhance digital brand management,and scale up R&D and innovation of products and services.

China's Anti-Poverty Strategy and Post-2020 Relative Poverty Line

China is about to eliminate absolute poverty in 2020 in favor of relative poverty.The Gini coef ficient re flects a distorted picture of relative poverty in China,which is prominent and overlaps with absolute poverty.This paper reviews China’s moving poverty line and pro-poor policies in various stages.It then estimates the scale of rural relative poverty in the context of urban and rural divide,and lastly,it proposes that,beyond 2020,China should follow a two-region and two-stage approach in setting the relative poverty line.Coastal regions should adopt a relative poverty line based on household disposable income,interior regions should convert the absolute poverty line into relative poverty line.After 2035,China is expected to enter late-stage urbanization,and the relative poverty standard will be based on national disposable income.Future poverty governance should continue to focus on capacity training,regional transition,and multi-dimensional poverty identi fication.

China’s Rising Labor Remuneration and Evolving National Savings Rate

Cash flow statements suggest that China’s rising labor remuneration has had a major impact on its national savings rate since 2008.Accordingly,this paper proposes labor remuneration hypotheses to explain the evolving trend of China’s national savings rate.We hypothesize that:(1)The certainty and predictability of household labor remuneration have led to excess sensitivity to consumption,with a corresponding decrease in the household savings rate;(2)rising household labor remuneration means a greater share of labor remuneration is paid by firms,resulting in a smaller corporate savings rate;(3)the increase in the payment of labor remuneration by firms as a share of national disposable income has resulted in the government spending more on social welfare and public services resulting in the government having a declining share of disposable income,less propensity to save,and a falling government savings rate.Using China’s provincial panel data of 2008-2016,we performed an empirical test with the minimum wage standard as the instrumental variable to verify the above hypothesis.To cope with economic growth pressures,China needs to shift from an investment-driven to a consumption-driven growth model and prioritize investment efficiency over quantity.

Green Technology Innovation under China's New Development Concept:The Effects of Policy-Push and Demand-Pull on Renewable Energy Innovation

Green technology innovation meets the dual expectation of innovative development and green development perspectives.Under the canonical demand-pull and policy-push theories,a long-term mechanism for green technology innovation could be formed through upstream policy push and downstream demand-pull.Leveraging China's regional carbon emission trading scheme pilots as a quasi-natural experiment,this paper examines the policy-push and demand-pull effects on innovation in renewable energy patents.The data pertain to the city-level renewable energy patents from 2000 to 2020.Based upon the triple difference-in-difference method,results suggest that both policy-push and demandpull factors exert positive effects on innovation.This paper further explores the practical and theoretical implications of green technology innovation under the new development perspective.

The Effect of Fast Internet on Employment:Evidence from a Large Broadband Expansion Program in China

Information and communication technology plays an important role in human life and social production.The existing literature has mainly studied the economic impact of such technology in developed countries;the use of broadband in developing countries has been overlooked.This paper fills the gap by examining a broadband development program in China.Difference-in-difference estimates show that the deployment of high-quality broadband promoted regional employment in the skilled service sector.The effect was larger in cities with a greater number of educated residents and cities in the west of China.We also found that broadband development stimulated firm creation and innovation.These findings imply that broadband promotes innovation and provides new impetus to the economic transition of emerging markets.

Exploring the Path of High-Quality Economic Development in a Double Circulation Pattern

Since the start of the reform and opening up in 1978 China's economy has grown rapidly,but the quality of development is relatively low.With the transformation of the principal social contradiction,lowquality development cannot respond to the needs of this situation.The central authorities proposed a new development pattern whereby domestic circulation and international circulation can boost each other,with domestic circulation as the mainstay.In the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China(CPC),the CPC Central Committee stressed that we should promote high-quality development as the theme to meet the growing needs of people for a better life.To solve the problem of inconsistent economic growth rate and quality of development,this paper starts by adjusting the relationship between domestic circulation and international circulation with domestic circulation as the mainstay,discusses how to create conditions for consumption upgrading and industrial upgrading from both supply and demand ends,and expounds on how to use international circulation to promote domestic circulation and better bring in international forces,so as to explore how to achieve high-quality economic development under the double-circulation pattern.Besides,the paper puts forward corresponding countermeasure suggestions.