Impact of High-Tech Product Import on Export Quality Level

Based on China Customs database, Wind database and China Statistical Yearbook, this paper measures the export quality of high-tech products in 31 provinces of China from 2008–2021 and constructs the export and development level of high-tech economy in each province using variables such as high-tech imports, GDP, number of college students, foreign direct investment, and government fiscal expenditure. Moreover, by studying the impact of high-tech economy on China’s export quality, it is found that high-tech product exports can significantly improve the level of high-tech development, and this result still holds after endogeneity test, heterogeneity test, robustness test, and two-stage instrumental variable method. With the increase of product quality differences, the effect of improving the quality of high-tech product exports will be more obvious and there are regional differences. It is particularly prominent in higher income regions, such as the eastern and central regions. However, as provinces become more active in international trade, the impact of high-tech product imports on overall export quality will change as the influencing factors change. In terms of influence channels, high-tech product imports mainly promote export quality through product quality upgrading effect and product reconfiguration effect. From the conclusion of the data, this paper proves that the development model of “import-strong export” is still reasonable. By attracting foreign investment and increasing import efforts, capital and advantages can be obtained to improve the level of export technology. And through the analysis of variables affecting the export level of high-tech products, we can reduce the risks of high cost, high competitiveness and other risks encountered in the export stage and improve economic benefits. This conclusion is important for evaluating the economic benefits of China’s digital economy policy.