Three-Chain Integration: A New Engine for the Upgrading of Bazhou's Petrochemical and Textile Industry

In the context of China's economic transition toward high-quality development and the continuous deepening of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, upgrading traditional industrial clusters in Western China is of critical importance. This paper focuses on the petrochemical, chemical, and textile (hereinafter referred to as "petrochemical-textile") industrial cluster in Bazhou, examining its upgrading pathway through the theoretical lens of "Three-Chain Integration." The concept of "Three-Chain Integration" refers to the synergistic interaction and deep integration of the industrial chain, innovation chain, and talent chain. The study identifies key bottlenecks currently affecting the cluster, including structural deficiencies within the industrial chain, fragmentation and weaknesses in the innovation chain, and significant imbalances and misalignment in the talent chain. To address these challenges, a dynamic evaluation model for Three-Chain Integration synergies is constructed, and insights are drawn from comparative case studies of successful domestic and international industrial clusters. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes a multi-dimensional, systematic upgrading pathway. This pathway includes strategic extension and deepening of the industrial chain, strengthening core innovation entities and constructing a robust innovation ecosystem, and implementing localized, demand-driven collaborative talent cultivation mechanisms alongside cross-regional talent synergy strategies. This study aims to provide a replicable analytical framework and practical reference for the transformation and upgrading of other resource-based industrial clusters in China's border regions. Theoretically, it enriches the application of Three-Chain Integration theory in specific regional contexts, particularly in Western China. Practically, it offers actionable insights and policy recommendations for regional industrial planning and institutional design, thereby supporting high-quality development and the strategic implementation of the "Belt and Road" Initiative in these areas.