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National leaders’ visits and temporary improvement of air quality: evidence from Chinese cities

Author

Listed:
  • Qingling Shi

    (East China Normal University
    East China Normal University)

  • Chenchen Shi

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Feng Guo

    (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

In China, during certain politically sensitive periods, there are increased incentives for local officials to prioritize environmental protection over economic growth, resulting in the phenomenon of temporary “political blue sky.” This study investigates the relationship between national leaders’ visits and air quality, using the Air Quality Index (AQI), individual pollutant data and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visits to cities during November 2013 and May 2017. The results show that AQI begins to drop around 20 days prior to Xi’s visits. Nevertheless, this improvement of air quality is only temporary—after visits, air quality quickly deteriorates to usual conditions. Moreover, the improved air quality before visits is primarily contributed by decreases in particulate matter of PM2.5 and PM10, which receive more attention from both government and public than other pollutants do, while other pollutants show no obvious changes. The analysis of Premier Li Keqiang’s visits also yields similar results, with less significant influence though.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingling Shi & Chenchen Shi & Feng Guo, 2020. "National leaders’ visits and temporary improvement of air quality: evidence from Chinese cities," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 58(5), pages 2105-2127, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:58:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s00181-018-1583-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-018-1583-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. ITO Asei & LIM Jaehwan & ZHANG Hongyong, 2023. "Political Visits and Firm Value: Evidence from central leaders’ local tours in China," Discussion papers 23050, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    2. Shi, Qingling & Shi, Chenchen & Guo, Feng, 2020. "Political Blue Sky: Evidence from the Local Annual “Two Sessions” in China," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    3. Lirong Liu & Asli Ogunc, 2023. "Beijing Blue: Impact of the 2008 Olympic Games and 2014 APEC Summit on Air Quality," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 51(1), pages 83-100, March.
    4. Zhang, Weike & Luo, Qian & Liu, Shiyuan, 2022. "Is government regulation a push for corporate environmental performance? Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 105-121.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    National leaders’ visits; Air pollution; Political blue sky; Event study;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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