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Does the cross‐border e‐commerce comprehensive pilot zones policy affect the urban–rural income gap in China?

Author

Listed:
  • Bing He
  • Da Xu
  • Guoqi Nan
  • Xiaoyu Zhang
  • Xiuxiu Yu

Abstract

With the development of Internet technology and modern supply chains, cross‐border e‐commerce (CBEC) has become one of the most important forms of international trade. The impact of this new mode of trade on economic growth and income disparity is worthy of further examination. This study treats the CBEC pilot zone policy as a quasi‐natural experiment, using the difference‐in‐differences approach to examine its impact on the urban–rural income gap. The findings showed that: (1) This policy significantly widened the urban–rural income gap; (2) innovation, entrepreneurship, and export are important paths toward expanding the impact of the CBEC pilot policy on the income gap, but the digital environment suppresses these expanding paths; and (3) the impact of this policy on the income gap shows distinct regional heterogeneity. This study provides several recommendations on how to promote balanced incomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Bing He & Da Xu & Guoqi Nan & Xiaoyu Zhang & Xiuxiu Yu, 2024. "Does the cross‐border e‐commerce comprehensive pilot zones policy affect the urban–rural income gap in China?," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 83(4), pages 773-792, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:83:y:2024:i:4:p:773-792
    DOI: 10.1111/ajes.12593
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bing He & Guoqi Nan & Da Xu & Jun Sun, 2025. "Bridging or widening? The impact of the Broadband China policy on urban-rural income inequality," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Cheng, Shiyu & Song, Yaxiang & Tu, Yao, 2025. "Place-based policies, creation and reallocation effects on city exports: Insights from China's cross-border E-commerce comprehensive pilot zones," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    3. Qiuyun, Li & Xie, Mingjia & Tang, Yuehuan, 2025. "Do the E-commerce-induced business clusters increase the income of local rural households?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1510-1526.
    4. Gao, Yi & Yang, Jing & Zhao, Jingzhu & Peng, Haorong, 2025. "Impact of developmental social policy on household welfare: Evidence from China’s comprehensive demonstration policy for e-commerce in rural areas," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1820-1838.
    5. Lianying Fu & Xu Han & Jizong Peng, 2025. "The impact of innovation-driven policies on urban resilience," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.

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