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Rural E-commerce, Digital finance, and urban–rural common prosperity: A Quasi-natural Experiment Based on China's Comprehensive Demonstration of E-commerce Entering Rural Areas Policy

Author

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  • Wei, Xiaobei
  • Yang, Zongpu
  • Yan, Yongjun
  • Sun, Jia

Abstract

This study examined the impact of China's Comprehensive Demonstration of E-commerce Entering Rural Areas Policy (hereafter “the Policy”) on urban–rural shared prosperity. The empirical analyses indicate that the Policy has significantly elevated urban–rural common prosperity while exhibiting regional disparities. China's eastern region has shown the most substantial positive impact, followed by the central region and the western region. The findings illustrate the pivotal role of digital finance as a mediating factor in enhancing common prosperity through e-commerce initiatives in rural areas. These findings offer empirical evidence for formulating and refining urban–rural development policies in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei, Xiaobei & Yang, Zongpu & Yan, Yongjun & Sun, Jia, 2024. "Rural E-commerce, Digital finance, and urban–rural common prosperity: A Quasi-natural Experiment Based on China's Comprehensive Demonstration of E-commerce Entering Rural Areas Policy," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:69:y:2024:i:pb:s1544612324012662
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106237
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jianping Cha & Yashan Deng & Kai Zhao & Feifei Li, 2026. "How Does the Development of the Digital Economy Enhance Farmers' Livelihood Resilience: The Roles of E‐Commerce and Digital Finance," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(2), pages 2342-2358, April.
    2. Su, Yajuan & Ren, Ruiying, 2025. "Can the development of rural E-commerce narrow the urban-rural income gap? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in national comprehensive demonstration counties for E-commerce," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 85(PD).
    3. Chen, Wei & Li, Jiawei, 2025. "Digital finance, rural E-commerce development and consumption upgrading," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA).
    4. Qi, Yifan & Gao, Yasi & Wu, Yanghui, 2025. "E-commerce integration, financial services enhancement, and rural revitalization: A quasi-natural experiment based on the comprehensive demonstration county pilot of e-commerce in rural areas," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 85(PD).
    5. Liu, Ya’nan, 2025. "Digital financial policy, technological innovation, and the dynamic effects of E-commerce development," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 85(PE).
    6. Lihong Sun & Hui Shu, 2025. "Rural E-commerce Ecosystem Development Paths Amid Digital Business Enabling Agriculture: A fsQCA Based on CAS Theory," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, December.
    7. Xiaoying Ren & Guobing Ruan & Yimeng Han & Dingding Zhang & Yaqi Wei & Yongzhong Feng, 2025. "Rural Industry Integration in Yan’an City: Development Trends, Driving Factors, and Regional Stratification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, February.
    8. Che, Weina & Fu, Jingjie & Jiao, Xiaoyang, 2025. "Digital villages, green finance, and high-quality agricultural development," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O20 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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