Evaluation of the impact of export restrictions on the upgrading of China’s energy industry based on the Kuznets curve

Abstract

The EI is an important pillar of modern economic development and a key factor in ensuring national strategic energy security. The upgrading of China’s Energy Industry (EI) faces a series of problems and challenges, such as excessive energy production, difficulty in energy technology innovation, and low energy efficiency. The significance of this study lies in its endeavor to tackle these challenges by focusing on several facets, including the promotion of innovation in energy technology and the enhancement of energy management. Utilizing the Kuznets Curve (KC) theory and considering energy export restrictions (ER) as a constraint, the study analyzed the impact of China’s EI upgrading. It analyzed the relationship between changes in indicators such as EI resource utilization rate, degree of ERs, export proportion, and resource allocation proportion of energy enterprises and the impact of China’s EI upgrading. According to the experimental results, it can be concluded that when the resource utilization rate was between 30% and 60%, the energy export volume showed a significant growth trend. As it gradually approached saturation, the contribution of energy production growth began to weaken and showed an inverted U-shape. Examining how the expansion of Economic Relations (ERs) affects the enhancement of China’s Economic Infrastructure (EI) within the framework of the Knowledge Capital (KC) can provide valuable insights. It offers guidance on striking a balance between exports and domestic demand in China’s economic development, facilitating the formulation of export policies, supporting structural adjustments and advancements in China’s EI, and contributing to the promotion of sustainable development (SD). Additionally, this analysis aids in preventing potential issues and safeguarding both the ecological environment and the interests of citizens.