Chinese Government Policies Research Articles

Integrated energy services in parks: Analyzing stakeholder dynamics and innovation under the REITs model through 23 policy documents

Industrial parks are significant consumers of energy, contributing to global carbon emissions and intensifying the need for strategic interventions to meet carbon reduction and energy efficiency goals. In China, the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) model has been adopted to advance the development of Integrated Energy Services (IESs) within these parks. This paper analyzes 23 Chinese government policy documents to explore the key stakeholders in park-based IESs, particularly the central role of energy companies in shaping collective decision-making processes. The study highlights how business models, including financial investment, offline and digital services, and innovative practices, have evolved under the REITs framework to drive the development of IESs and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Future pathways for green hydrogen: Analyzing the nexus of renewable energy consumption and hydrogen development in Chinese cities

Hydrogen energy offers a promising pathway for achieving zero-carbon urban energy consumption. This study quantitatively analyzes the patterns of hydrogen energy development and its linked to electricity consumption in China's urban areas. It investigates the spatial relationships between hydrogen energy expansion, the potential for green hydrogen production, and overall energy use. Utilizing a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model, the research explores the dynamic interactions between urban hydrogen energy development and the transition to renewable energy sources. In line with Chinese government policy, the study also conducts a scenario analysis of green hydrogen production by 2030, proposing a consumption strategy that balances environmental sustainability with economic growth. The key conclusions are as follows: (1) There is a spatial mismatch between the locations where hydrogen energy is being developed and where the potential for green hydrogen production is greatest. Cities with higher electricity consumption demonstrate stronger synergies in the coordinated development of hydrogen and renewable energy. (2) The development of hydrogen energy significantly accelerates the transition to renewable energy consumption in urban areas, with this impact being more substantial than that of the utilization capacity alone. (3) Hydrogen production in the Plan Scenario is significantly higher than in the Pessimistic Scenario, underscoring the critical importance of implementing renewable hydrogen projects in provinces with high production potential. Future trends in green hydrogen consumption at the provincial level indicate that addressing the challenges of efficient inter-provincial transportation of hydrogen energy remains essential.

Low-Carbon Transformation of Chinese Steel Enterprises Under the Dual Carbon Goals: Taking Baowu Group as An Example

The profound changes in the environment have led to increasing global concerns about the negative impacts of carbon emissions. Against the backdrop of the environmental crisis, the concept of “dual carbon” emerged in China, aiming to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The establishment of these goals in 2020 marked a significant milestone in global efforts towards a more sustainable future. The paper initially delves into a comprehensive macro and micro analysis, reviewing significant policy measures introduced since the "dual carbon" goals were established in 2020. It pays particular attention to documents that have had a profound impact on the steel industry, emphasizing the urgency of low-carbon transformation among steel enterprises. Amidst the challenges posed by the macroeconomic environment and within the framework of the "dual carbon" policy, the paper takes Baowu Group, China's leading steel enterprise, as the focal point of this analysis. The paper meticulously scrutinizes seven specific measures implemented by Baowu Group in its journey towards low-carbon transformation, adopting a multifaceted perspective. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of Baowu Group's transformation from diverse perspectives, highlighting the successful outcomes of both Chinese government policies and corporate efforts. In conclusion, the paper presents tailored policy recommendations and transformation strategies tailored specifically for the steel industry.

China's Policy Response to Nancy Pelosi's Visit to Taiwan: The Influence of Nationalism Revisited

This article focuses on China's policy response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022. Pelosi's action triggered a surge of popular nationalist sentiments in China, but the response of the Chinese government was far less tough than what many popular nationalists had expected. The article argues that the Chinese government's policy choice in response to Pelosi's visit to Taiwan did not depend on the demands of popular nationalists, but rather was based on a cost-benefit analysis according to its perceptions. The influence of popular nationalism on the government's foreign policy choices has been exaggerated owing to an overestimation of the government's reliance on nationalism for its regime legitimacy, and an underestimation of the government's control over public opinion and nationalist activities.

Impact of the destination image and government policy responsiveness of China on Korean travelers’ destination trust and behaviors in the post-pandemic era

The underlying mechanism of the destination trust of Korean travelers and behaviors toward China after the COVID-19 pandemic is explored in the present study, which considers the role of the destination image constituents and perceived government policy responsiveness for tourism recovery. The data was collected from Korean nationals who are currently residing in South Korea and have traveled to China in the last five years. The results revealed that the developed conceptual framework had a satisfactory level of explanatory ability in regards to predicting the travel and recommendation intentions of Korean travelers toward China, which destination trust serves as the key mediator. Moreover, the perception of Korean travelers in regards to Chinese government policy responsiveness for tourism recovery significantly strengthened the effect of image factors on destination trust. The study also discovered that the importance of image factors varies in regards to the formation of trust and destination behaviors. This research provides significant theoretical insights into the post-health crisis tourism recovery, which emphasizes changes in Korean travel patterns in the aftermath of COVID-19 as well as the wider socio-political environment that influences travel destinations. It also presents useful guidance for Chinese tourism stakeholders in regards to implementing effective recovery strategies that are aimed at the lucrative Korean outbound travel market during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.

The Future of the Yuan: Measuring the "Power" of Renminbi (RMB)

Money is one of the most important “creatures” of the state. It has both soft and hard power at the same time. The power of a country can be seen from the strength of its currency exchange rate and its spread, and it is found that the use of Yuan has increased significantly, especially in trade between China and its trading partners. This is driven by various factors, such as the Chinese government's policy to promote the internationalization of Yuan, the establishment of an offshore Yuan market in Hong Kong, and Yuan's role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Although the Yuan is not yet a global reserve currency, this article concludes that the Yuan's Power as Hard Power and Soft Power is increasing, and the Yuan has strong potential to play a greater role in the international monetary system in the future, supported by China's economic growth and the government's efforts to increase its use globally.

Operation of Chinese Enterprises Using Smart Manufacturing: Basis for Strategic Plan

Focusing on Chinese companies, this study examined their operations in smart manufacturing and provided key information for strategic planning. Investigating the position of Chinese companies in the smart manufacturing market through an online and offline questionnaire survey, the study found that companies became increasingly competitive. The adoption of smart manufacturing technologies had a profound impact on companies' market positions, driving them to better adapt to market demands. The study looked at the impact of smart manufacturing on productivity. By adopting technologies such as automation, big data analytics, and real-time monitoring, Chinese companies optimized their production processes, improved productivity, and reduced production costs. The findings suggested that smart manufacturing played a key role in stimulating innovation. By introducing advanced technologies and digital solutions, companies not only improved their products and services but also accelerated the introduction of new products. The study examined the Chinese government's policies and support measures for smart manufacturing. Government support was identified as one of the key factors driving firms' adoption of smart manufacturing, covering a wide range of aspects such as financial incentives, industry standards, and technology development. In terms of sustainable development, the adoption of smart manufacturing positively impacted resource efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental impact. Chinese companies sought to achieve economic growth while focusing on sustainability and environmental protection. Taken together, this study provided a comprehensive summary covering key areas such as market position, competitive environment, productivity, innovation, government policies and support, and sustainability of Chinese companies in smart manufacturing. This provided foundational information for companies to develop relevant strategic plans. After the research period, the conclusion about the operational strategic planning of Chinese enterprises utilizing smart manufacturing from 2024 to 2033 is drawn: Chinese smart manufacturing enterprises should strengthen competitiveness, improve productivity, innovate continuously, make full use of government policy support, and achieve sustainable development during the period of 2024-2033 in order to cope with the changing market environment and challenges and achieve long-term stable growth. Keywords: Chinese Companies, Smart Manufacturing, Operations, Strategic Planning, Market, Competition

Can China’s rural revitalisation policies be an example for other countries aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs)-1, 2 and 12?

PurposeEver since China’s implementation of the open-door policy in 1978, there has been a remarkable transformation in the nation’s economic landscape. Undesirably, amidst the rapid urban development, the importance of prioritising and nurturing rural development in China has not received unwavering attention. Nevertheless, the Chinese government has embarked on many ventures to bridge the disparities existing amidst urban and rural areas, revitalise the rural economy, and enhance overall productivity. This paper enunciates the role of the Chinese government in prospering rural areas by implementing policies that align with the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs)- 1, 2 and 12.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a comprehensive methodology encompassing both primary and secondary research techniques to procure valuable insights and reviewed various Chinese government policies pertaining to rural revitalisation.FindingsThe study results demonstrate that throughout the policy implementation, China has contributed to the livelihoods of the rural communities and achieved SDG-1 (ending poverty) by 2030, ten years ahead of Agenda (2030). The country has also substantially improved its rural agricultural system by integrating modern science and technology and aiming to achieve SDG-2 (ensure food security) with the alignment of SDG-12 (sustainable production and consumption). The findings of this research indicate that despite some limitations in China’s rural revitalisation strategy, overall progress is seen in many aspects, particularly in achieving SDG-1, 2, and 12.Research limitations/implicationsThe Chinese government has made significant efforts to promote ecological, social, and economic development in rural areas through various national initiatives such as the “New Countryside” and “Rural Revitalisation” strategies. These initiatives have successfully alleviated poverty, increased food production, and ensured sustainable production and consumption. The discoveries presented within this article possess immense value, as they provide profound insights for policymakers, rural planners, and researchers who are fervently searching for viable solutions to tackle the intricate interplay between rural development and sustainability. Therefore, this study has the potential to greatly benefit policymakers from various nations, as they can adopt China’s rural revitalisation model as a means to successfully achieve SDGs 1, 2, and 12.Originality/valueThis study found that despite numerous initiatives to improve rural landscapes, China’s rural revitalisation approach still poses concerns as local governments are likely to focus on increasing income capacity rather than concentrating on establishing environmental governance.

An evaluation of digital inclusion response policies for elderly in China

AbstractDigital inclusion is related to the physical and mental health of the elderly, and the relevant policies formulated by the government have an important impact on it. This article analyzes 69 policies related to digital inclusion of the elderly released by the central government of China. The results of the content analysis show that the current policies generally attach importance to the service and building of digital inclusion for the elderly, and gradually shift the policy focus to aging adaptation, smart device use, and learning guidance. The evaluation results using a policy modeling consistency index (PMC‐Index) indicate that the quality of the current Chinese government's policies to help the digital inclusion of the elderly is generally high. However, PMC‐Surface shows that there is still considerable variability in the scores of the main‐indicators for each policy. The evaluation results suggest that we can still improve the effectiveness of policies by expanding the scope of policy audiences, establishing good policy timeliness planning, and enriching policy contents, so as to effectively help the elderly integrate into the current rapidly developing digital society.

Infrastructure Development in Ethiopia and Its Impact on Economic Diplomacy With China

Economic Diplomacy between Ethiopia and China: A Focus on Infrastructure Development" explores the intricate dynamics of the economic partnership between Ethiopia and China, specifically emphasizing infrastructure development. This comprehensive analysis examines the alignment of Chinese government policies with Ethiopia's development goals, evaluates key infrastructure agreements and projects supported by China, and assesses the impact of Chinese government involvement on bilateral relations and economic diplomacy.Evidence of strategic alignment between Chinese government policies and Ethiopia's development objectives is observed across sectors such as infrastructure, industrialization, and poverty alleviation. Notable projects like the Eastern Industry Zone, Hawassa Industrial Park, and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway illustrate coordinated efforts to advance Ethiopia's industrialization agenda and bolster connectivity and regional trade.Moreover, the article delves into broader implications of the partnership, extending beyond individual projects to encompass comprehensive collaboration in transportation, energy, and industrial zones. It underscores China's significant influence and expertise in these sectors, facilitating Ethiopia's emergence as a regional trade hub and alignment with its geopolitical and economic aspirations.Methodologically, the research employs a qualitative approach involving purposive sampling and thematic analysis of primary and secondary data sources. Primary data sources include interviews and discussions with key stakeholders, while secondary sources encompass policy documents, agreements, and scholarly literature. Thematic analysis is utilized to identify recurring themes and patterns, providing insights into the motivations and implications of Chinese involvement in Ethiopian infrastructure development.In conclusion, the study highlights the transformative potential of infrastructure development in enhancing diplomatic relations and projecting economic influence. China's contributions exemplify the evolving landscape of international economic diplomacy, shaping collaborative narratives in the 21st century. The rigorous qualitative methodology employed strengthens the credibility and reliability of the findings, offering deeper insights into the nuances of economic diplomacy between Ethiopia and China.

Post-Pandemic Legislative Transition Analysis in China’s Metropolises: Street Vending between Prohibition and Legalization

The governance of the street vendor economy has always been an important part of the social grass-roots governance. To stimulate the economy and ensure employment in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the Chinese government's policy towards the street vendor economy has transitioned from prohibition to legalization. This paper traces the three distinct historical phases of China's economic policy concerning street stalls in the 21st century, shedding light on the resistance encountered during the process of legalization. Subsequently, it uses policy comparative analysis to explain the legislative transition and the underlying reasons for these changes in three major Chinese metropolises: Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. The results show that the city's legislative turning and diversion strategies cannot achieve the expected effect. So the paper proffers suggestions for future policy-making. The suggestions include Person-centered place designation, flexible time, and rights protection policy.

Do Chinese Citizens Conceal Opposition to the CCP in Surveys? Evidence from Two Experiments

Abstract Most public opinion research in China uses direct questions to measure support for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and government policies. These direct question surveys routinely find that over 90 per cent of Chinese citizens support the government. From this, scholars conclude that the CCP enjoys genuine legitimacy. In this paper, we present results from two survey experiments in contemporary China that make clear that citizens conceal their opposition to the CCP for fear of repression. When respondents are asked directly, we find, like other scholars, approval ratings for the CCP that exceed 90 per cent. When respondents are asked in the form of list experiments, which confer a greater sense of anonymity, CCP support hovers between 50 per cent and 70 per cent. This represents an upper bound, however, since list experiments may not fully mitigate incentives for preference falsification. The list experiments also suggest that fear of government repression discourages some 40 per cent of Chinese citizens from participating in anti-regime protests. Most broadly, this paper suggests that scholars should stop using direct question surveys to measure political opinions in China.

Study on the logic and effectiveness of crisis learning in the promotion policy adjustment: an observation based on the adjustment of COVID-19 prevention policy in China.

As the impact of COVID-19 on normal production and living conditions diminishes, this serious emergency is come to an end. China's policy framework has facilitated positive adjustment over the past 3 years by timely modifying its emergency response to changes in viruses and epidemics. This paper aims to explore the logic of China's policy framework that promoted policy adjustment through crisis learning during COVID-19. By gathering and classifying China's epidemic prevention policies throughout the past 3 years, integrating policy texts, and analyzing key events, this article examines the process of supporting policy adjustment through crisis learning in the policy system during COVID-19. The Chinese government's COVID-19 policy adjustment process can be divided into four stages, namely 'The period of stress response', 'The period of COVID-19 prevention and control', 'The period of regular prevention and control', and 'The period of overall adjustment'. The policy adjustments in each stage demonstrate the logic and effectiveness of crisis learning in the promotion policy adjustment. The study has determined that the motivational logic comprises three crucial elements: security requirements, accountability pressure, and reputation management. The institutional logic encompasses both the organizational and resourceful environments, and the institutional and cultural environment. Additionally, the behavioral logic of policy adaptation aligns with the strategy of crisis learning. Meanwhile, the logical framework of 'crisis learning-policy adjustment' can be verified using the Chinese government's policy adjustment in COVID-19 as an example. Establishing an effective post-crisis learning system is crucial to improving the effectiveness of crisis response. There is a logical link between crisis learning and policy adjustment. The implementation of policy adjustment needs to be based on the results of crisis learning. Government departments are essential for crisis learning and policy adjustment.

СРАВНЕНИЕ ДОСТУПНОСТИ ЛЬГОТНЫХ РЕЖИМОВ НАЛОГООБЛОЖЕНИЯ СУБЪЕКТАМ МАЛОГО И СРЕДНЕГО ПРЕДПРИНИМАТЕЛЬСТВА В РАЗНЫХ СТРАНАХ

The article analyzes the criteria for classifying economic agents as small and medium-sized businesses in a number of countries, as well as the parameters, the observance of which allows the application of certain preferential tax regimes. The similarities and differences in approaches to the classification of economic entities from the point of view of the implementation of government measures to support entrepreneurship are highlighted. Special attention is paid to the analysis of Chinese government policy regarding the allocation of small and medium-sized businesses due to the similarity of the time period of operation of this sector with the Russian one. A typical discrepancy between the criteria has been established, compliance with which gives the status of a small or medium-sized business with characteristics that allow reducing the tax burden.

Culture for the Masses: Building Grassroots Cultural Infrastructure in China

This article focuses on the development of “grassroots cultural infrastructure”—namely, “cultural halls” and “cultural stations”—at the county level and below since the Mao Zedong era. Since their formation, the party-state has accorded cultural halls and stations a critical role in propagating policies, educating citizens, and conducting cultural activities. Based on historical gazetteers, Chinese Communist Party histories, government policies, handbooks, and statistical yearbooks, this article shows that frequently changing policy priorities meant cultural halls and stations were wedged in between the demands of the party-state and the people and were ill-equipped to fulfill their role. Mass political campaigns during the Mao era wrought havoc, and commercialization during reform and opening up undermined their relevance. In the mid-2000s, a focus on service provision resulted in higher expectations that were impossible to fulfill. As a remedy, after 2015, cultural infrastructure has been reorganized and increasingly deployed via volunteers and technology. This article therefore sheds light not only on the history of grassroots cultural infrastructure but also its future.

Spatiotemporal disturbances and attribution analysis of mangrove in southern China from 1986 to 2020 based on time-series Landsat imagery

As one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, mangrove has a critical role to play in both the natural ecosystem and the human economic and social society. However, two thirds of the world's mangrove have been irreversibly damaged over the past 100 years, as a result of ongoing human activities and climate change. In this paper, adopting Landsat for the past 36 years as the data source, the detection of spatiotemporal changes of mangrove in southern China was carried out based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform using the LandTrendr algorithm. In addition, the attribution of mangrove disturbances was analyzed by a random forest algorithm. The results indicated the area of mangrove recovery (5174.64 hm2) was much larger than the area of mangrove disturbances (1625.40 hm2) over the 35-year period in the study area. The disturbances of mangrove in southern China were dominated by low and low-to-medium-level disturbances, with an area of 1009.89 hm2, accounting for 57.50 % of the total disturbances. The mangrove recovery was also dominated by low and low-to-medium-level recovery, with an area of 3239.19 hm2, accounting for 62.61 % of the total recovery area. Both human and natural factors interacted and influenced each other, together causing spatiotemporal disturbances of mangrove in southern China during 1986–2020. The mangrove disturbances in the Phase I (1986–2000) and Phase III (2011–2020) were characterized by human-induced (50.74 % and 58.86 %), such as construction of roads and aquaculture ponds. The mangrove disturbances in the Phase II (2001–2010) were dominated by natural factors (55.73 %), such as tides, flooding, and species invasions. It was also observed that the area of mangrove recovery in southern China increased dramatically from 1986 to 2020 due to the promulgation and implementation of the Chinese government's policy on mangrove protection, as well as increased human awareness of mangrove wetland protection.

Reconciling Development and Decarbonization: An Examination of China's Policy Options for Curbing Emissions While Sustaining Supply Chains

China faces the challenge of balancing economic growth while meeting carbon emission reduction targets. This essay analyzes current Chinese government policies aimed at reducing emissions, including supply-side reforms, renewable energy subsidies, and awareness campaigns. It argues these policies have limitations, such as only temporary emissions reductions from supply cuts, high costs of subsidies, and lack of infrastructure to support consumer adoption of electric vehicles. To improve outcomes, the essay recommends implementing a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system, choosing the optimal policy based on demand elasticities. It also suggests subsidizing a transition from coal to electricity for heating in rural areas. In conclusion, modifying existing policies and implementing new market-based and technological solutions can help China achieve its twin goals of reducing emissions while maintaining economic growth. The essay provides a thoughtful analysis of the issues and policy trade-offs China faces in balancing environmental sustainability and development.

Blockchain mania without bitcoins: Evidence from the Chinese stock market

Blockchain mania occurs in response to rapid increases in the Bitcoin price in markets with cryptocurrency circulation. However, Chinese government policies regarding the development of blockchain are inconsistent, blocking access to the offering and exchange of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, while raising blockchain technology to a strategic position. We empirically investigate whether the government’s inconsistent policies lead to blockchain mania and how it affects blockchain-related firms’ activities and performance. Our results are threefold. First, the supportive policy can fully offset the negative effect of the national boycott of cryptocurrencies. Second, non-speculative firms experience a stronger and longer-standing positive reaction, while the effect on speculative firms is transient and vanishes after receiving a definitive warning 10 days later. Third, the market reaction to government support appears more pronounced among firms with established blockchain technology alliances or official endorsements.

Policy Experimentation as Communication with the Public: Social Policy, Shared Responsibility and Regime Support in China

AbstractResearch on policy experimentation has mainly focused on central–local relations; scholars have paid little attention to the interaction between policy experimentation and the public. We argue that policy experimentation can be used by decision makers as an instrument to communicate with the public, facilitating the building of a social consensus regarding controversial policies. We evaluate the effects of the Chinese government's policy experimentation efforts to promote shared responsibility between the state and individuals for the urban pension system on the public's regime support. Evidence from two rounds of a nationwide survey conducted before and after the policy experiment indicates that the policy experimentation has significantly contributed to citizens’ acceptance of their individual welfare responsibility. Moreover, the image-building of governmental responsibility via official news, with varied intensity across regions, consolidates the political trust of residents while posing a challenge to local government credibility in the long run.

Chinese Manufacturing Industry in the Context of Industry 4.0

The fourth industrial revolution, more popular known as Industry 4.0, has been developed for nearly 10 years since it was proposed, and has gradually evolved into a new revolution in manufacturing on a global scale. It is an era of opportunities for comprehensive digitalization. Through continuous exploration and development, the core technology of Industry 4.0 is constantly being explored and improved. China has written a manufacturing legend in the past 30 years, but its productivity still behind developed countries. If China wants to grow from the world's largest manufacturing country to a manufacturing powerhouse, it must grasp the general trend of Industry 4.0. Therefore, this paper explores the characteristics, core technologies and current global development trends of industry 4.0. And by analyzing the development data of Chinese manufacturing in the past ten years combined with Chinese government policies, the development status of Chinese Industry 4.0 and the problems encountered, some solutions and suggestions are put forward. Help enterprises understand the general environment and the technical characteristics of Industry 4.0, to formulate digital transformation and upgrading strategies based on their own characteristics and development needs.