How does the digital economy empower high-quality marine development?

In the wave of global economic transformation and sustainable development, the digital economy (DE) has emerged as a new engine driving the high-quality development of the marine economy (HDME). Using comprehensive data from China's 11 coastal provinces and municipalities from 2007 to 2022, this study examines the empowering effects of the DE on the marine economy. The findings reveal that the DE directly promotes high-quality development in the marine economy and significantly amplifies this effect through moderating factors such as an optimized institutional environment, appropriate R&DI, and environmental cost regulation. Of particular note is the positive U-shaped relationship between R&DI and the DE, which reveals the complex role of R&DI in digitally empowering the marine economy. Technological progress and equitable environments are key mediating variables that further elucidate the intrinsic pathways through which the DE propels high-quality marine economic development. Additionally, the study finds that the context of reform and opening up in the new era and the “Broadband China” policy significantly influence the DE's empowering effects, offering fresh perspectives for policy formulation. The study provides theoretical support for the deep integration of the digital and marine economies. It offers valuable empirical evidence and strategic recommendations for coastal regions to empower themselves digitally and promote the HDME.