Chinese Cities Research Articles

Determinants and spatial spillover effects of inbound tourism in Chinese cities

Purpose By using a wide range of macro and micro factors, this paper aims to provide a new assessment of the recent literature on inbound tourism demand models. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the determinants and spatial effects of inbound tourism using Hausman–Taylor and spatial econometric models. Findings Several important factors were identified, including local economic growth, openness to the outside world, regional size, geographic distance, foreign direct investment, level of innovation and average annual temperature. In addition, the study found strong cross-city competition effects on tourism resource endowment and hotel infrastructure. Originality/value Inbound tourism is a crucial link in achieving high-quality economic development. However, previous studies have mainly focused on the analysis of single influencing factors, ignoring the spatial spillover effects of factors.

Quantifying cigarette and e-cigarette marketing exposure among Chinese adolescents using ecological momentary assessment.

Addressing cigarette and e-cigarette use in China is key to reducing the global tobacco epidemic. Marketing exposure is one causal factor for adolescent smoking and e-cigarette use. Currently, China restricts cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online; however, there may not be full policy compliance. We collected real-time data in the natural environment to estimate how much and where Chinese adolescents - a group susceptible to smoking and e-cigarette use - are exposed to cigarette and e-cigarette marketing to inform policy responses. In June 2022, we conducted a seven-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study with 15-16-year-olds (n=96) across eight Chinese cities. Participants completed up to 42 EMA surveys (6 per day), sent at random intervals outside of school hours. In each survey, participants reported whether they saw (1) displays and (2) ads in the past hour (none, cigarette, e-cigarette, both) in the past hour. We also captured the source of cigarette/e-cigarette ad exposure. Most participants were exposed to cigarette and/or e-cigarette displays (89.6%) or ads (79.2%) over the seven days. On average, participants reported past-hour exposure to displays 12.7 times and past-hour exposure to ads 10.8 times over the week. The most common sources of cigarette ads were public places (e.g., kiosks, supermarkets); the most common sources of e-cigarette ad exposure were social media/internet or e-cigarette stores. Findings highlight the need to enhance enforcement of restrictions on cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online in China and extend restrictions to ban displays. Marketing exposure is a causal factor in youth smoking and e-cigarette use. We used ecological momentary assessments to estimate cigarette and e-cigarette display and ad exposure among Chinese adolescents. On average, participants reported past-hour exposure to cigarette and/or e-cigarette displays 13 times and past-hour exposure to cigarette and/or e-cigarette ads 11 times over one week. Most saw ads in public places and online. Results suggest strengthening implementation of China's ban on cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online and banning product displays. These are policy responses that can contribute to reducing adolescent cigarette and e-cigarette uptake in China.

Treatment patterns in advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in China: results from the CancerMPact® survey 2021.

Aim: To report the treatment patterns of advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China from a physician survey (CancerMPact®). Materials & methods:A total of206 Chinese physicians from 27 cities in urban mainland China reported on their treatment of NSCLC in September 2021. Results: Platinum doublets received 70.5% utilization for squamous NSCLC with PD-L1 expression <1% in first-line, whereas nonsquamous NSCLC was treated with platinum doublets (35.2%) or bevacizumab with platinum doublets (35.3%). Checkpoint inhibitors were utilized in >50% of all PD-L1-positive NSCLC cases. Driver-mutated NSCLC was most frequently treated with targeted therapy or platinum-based combinations. Conclusion: NSCLC treatment in China varies by histology, PD-L1 statusand driver mutations, illustrating the complexity of decision-making for Chinese physicians as treatment markets expand.

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Shanghai, China: Surveillance from 2014 to 2023.

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis remains a notable health problem in developing countries. In 1990 in Shanghai, a city in eastern China, 47% of the population was affected. Due to a series of comprehensive approaches, the prevalence decreased to 0.5% in 2009. We collected 10-year surveillance data to assess the epidemic situation of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Shanghai. Stool samples and questionnaires from participants were collected. The Kato-Katz technique was used to detect infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), and Trichuris trichiura. From 2014 to 2023, a total of 77,685 participants were screened for parasitic infections, and the overall prevalence of STH infections decreased from 0.1% to 0% in Shanghai. Of 77,685 participants, 25 (0.03%) were positive for intestinal helminths, with the most common parasite being A. lumbricoides (72.0%). Generally, elderly participants from rural areas with lower education levels were more likely to be infected with STHs. A total of 2,914 questionnaires were collected, and most respondents (72.6%) had good knowledge about the transmission routes of STHs. However, 12.3% of participants did not know the damage to health caused by STHs, and 19.3% had no idea of how to prevent infection. These data demonstrate the current state of STH infections in Shanghai. The results suggest that various comprehensive measures should be encouraged, continuously implemented, and strengthened accordingly so that STH elimination can be integrated into the Healthy China initiative by 2030.

Subnational institutions, firm capabilities and eco-innovation

Abstract We examine the role institutional pressures, at the subnational level, play in the generation of eco-innovations and explicitly consider how they interact with firms’ heterogeneous capabilities and ownership characteristics. Theoretically, we combine elements from institutional theory with the resource-based view of the firm to develop our hypotheses. Empirically, we use a novel dataset over the period 2003–2013 compiled from several sources: (I) environmental regulations (city-level) from the China Environmental Statistical Yearbooks and City Statistical Yearbooks; (II) green patents (firm-level) from the China National Intellectual Property Administration; and (III) ownership (firm-level) from the National Bureau of Statistics. Our econometric analysis employs an instrumental variable (IV) approach that controls for endogeneity and a negative binomial multilevel methodology for robustness. The results show that institutional pressures associated with environmental regulations, implemented at city level, lead to more green patents produced by firms in these jurisdictions. Crucially, the effectiveness of environmental regulation is enhanced when firms invest more in their internal technological capabilities. Finally, we find that a firm’s affiliation with a business group enhances the positive effects of regulations in terms of the production of eco-innovations.

How does digital economy empower pollution mitigation and carbon reduction? Evidence from Chinese cities

Achieving synergies in pollution mitigation and carbon reduction (PMCR) in Chinese cities is the overall lever to facilitate the comprehensive green transition in socio-economic development. As the catalyst of the information age, the impact of digital economy on urban PMCR needs to be explored. Thus, using 288 cities from 2006 to 2019 as a sample, this study examines the influence of the digital economy on the synergistic effect of PMCR. The regional differences and mechanism paths are further tested. We discover that: (1) the continuous advancement of the digitization is a valid driving force to suppress PM2.5 and carbon emissions and strengthen urban PMCR behavior in Chinese cities; (2) the inhibition effect of the digital economy on PM2.5 and carbon and its stimulation effect on PMCR are only reflected in the central and western cities, while the opposite finding is reached in the eastern cities; and (3) the digital economy will affect the PMCR and the emissions of two kinds of pollutants through economic path, technical path, and structural path. On this basis, we sequentially put forward some policy suggestions regarding stimulating digital economy and reducing pollutants emissions.

Accelerating zero emission truck adoption in urban applications: Beijing analysis and recommendations

With the complete phase out of national new energy vehicle purchase subsidies, Chinese cities need to explore more policy instruments to simulate the adoption new energy trucks (NETs). The study takes Beijing as an example and aims to address: how Chinese cities can craft policies to further promote NETs, considering different NET models operating in divergent duty cycles by different sizes of operators would have different obstacles with vehicle technologies and costs, to achieve its carbon and air pollutant emission reduction goal, while maintaining the livelihood of small and medium carrier in the freight industry. Based on NET technical performance analysis and surveys WRI conducted on carriers in Beijing, we analyze the technological readiness of NETs and the gaps in total costs of ownership (TCOs) between NETs and ICE trucks for each duty cycle category. The study further identifies the policies that are effective to fill the current (2022—2024) technological and cost gaps of NETs, based on literature review and quantitative analysis.

Techno-economic evaluation of a seawater source heat pump system with auxiliary heat source in cold region of China

The utilizing of renewable seawater energy through seawater source heat pumps (SWHPs) in coastal areas is considered as a sustainable technology with minimal environment impact. Promotion of this technology needs clear understanding of its techno-economic performance but there are limited relevant studies. An empirical study was conducted in Qingdao, China, based on a practical installation comprising SWHPs supplemented by electric boilers. On-site measurements revealed considerable COP of 3.81 for SWHP and COPs of 2.87 for the whole system, implying SWHP as a viable and efficient solution for space heating in mild winter in this region. Results from TRNSYS simulations showed SWHP with auxiliary gas boilers (SWHP-GB) achieved the lowest annual primary energy demand and best economic and environmental benefits compared with other three schemes, namely SWHP with electric boilers (SWHP-EB), chillers with gas boilers (Chiller-GB) and air source heat pumps with gas boilers (ASHP-GB). SWHP played important roles in energy efficiency of the whole system with a considerable seasonal COP of 3.72 and 3.22 respectively for heating and cooling. Annual primary energy demand of SWHP-GB accounted for 55 %, 78 % and 56 % of SWHP-EB, Chiller-GB and ASHP-GB, respectively. SWHP-GB achieved the lowest life cycle costs and a rapid payback period of 10.9 years. Moreover, using direct or indirect heat exchange with seawater was found with limited impact on techno-economic performance of the system. To conclude, SWHP-GB could be used as an efficient solution for building heating and cooling in northern coastal cities in China.

The Impact of Problematic Internet Use on Adolescent Loneliness-Chain Mediation Effects of Social Support and Family Communication.

To explore the relationship between adolescents' problematic Internet use and loneliness and the mediating roles of social support and family communication. A questionnaire survey of 2483 adolescents aged 12-17 years in 148 cities in China was conducted using the Problematic Internet Use Scale, the Collaborative Social Support Scale, the Family Communication Scale, and the Loneliness Scale. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and validated by AMOS 28.0. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to test the effects of problematic Internet use on adolescents' loneliness and the mediating effects of perceptions of social support and family communication. There was a significant positive effect of adolescents' problematic Internet use on loneliness (B-0.471, P<0.001), and the mediating effects of perceptual social support (0.003, 0.012) and family communication (0.008, 0.019) were found to play a chain effect between adolescents' problematic Internet use and loneliness, respectively. Use and feelings of loneliness played a chain mediating role (0.002, 0.006). This study identified the effects of adolescent problematic Internet use on loneliness and its mechanism of action, emphasized the importance of social support and family communication, and provided practical insights for improving family parenting styles and preventing and intervening in adolescent loneliness problems.

Administrative-led urbanization and urban carbon emission intensity: Evidence from City–County merger in China

Cities in China are concentrated areas of energy consumption and carbon emission. Thus, controlling urban carbon emission intensity is the key to achieving “carbon neutrality” and “carbon peak” goals. Administrative urbanization, for which city–county merger (CCM) plays an important role, is yet to be examined to understand whether it intensified carbon emissions. This study uses panel data of 269 cities from 2008 to 2019 and staggered difference-in-differences method to analyze the impact of administration-led urbanization on urban carbon emission intensity. The results reveal that the CCM significantly increased urban carbon emission intensity. A mechanism test shows that the CCM can increase carbon emission intensity by inhibiting industrial structure upgrading and promoting urban infrastructure construction. Heterogeneity analysis shows that there is no significant regional difference in carbon intensity; however, regional difference has a more significant positive impact on carbon intensity of sub-provincial cities, general prefecture-level cities, and strong counties with districts.

Parameterized atmospheric oxidation capacity during summer at an urban site in Taiyuan and implications for O3 pollution control

In recent years, summer ozone pollution shows a significant upward trend in many cities of China, affecting human health and ecosystems. The atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) is the core driving force for converting primary pollutants into secondary pollutants. In order to better understand the characteristics of AOC in summer, the comprehensive observation of VOCs (including OVOCs) was conducted at an urban site in Taiyuan from July 20 to August 3, 2020. The parameterized analysis of AOC and ROH was carried out by combining with the simulated photolysis rates (JO1D, JNO2 and JNO3). The results showed that the mean value of MDA8 O3, AOC and ROH were 84.2 ppbv, 2.4 × 107 molecules cm-3 s-1 and 28.3 s-1, respectively. The major reductants of AOC were CO (37.6%), isoprene (21.7%) and formaldehyde (16.8%). Diurnal variations of AOC showed a peak at noon, the major oxidants for AOC were OH (97.7%) and O3 (78.7%) during the daytime and nighttime, respectively. The mean value of MDA8 O3, AOC and VOCs-AOC during the pollution period (MDA8 O3 > 75 ppbv) were 33.0%, 45.0% and 59.3% higher than the non-pollution period, respectively. The OH reactivity ratio of NOx and VOCs indicated that O3 formation occurred under a VOC-limited regime. The backward trajectory analysis showed that VOCs from southwestern airmass had the highest AOC (2.0 × 107 molecules cm-3 s-1), and the domain contributors were isoprene (39.0%), formaldehyde (24.9%), acetaldehyde (9.8%) and ethylene (4.4%). This study could provide some references for regulating AOC to alleviate O3 pollution.

Government digital transformation, resource curse and green total factor energy efficiency in Chinese cities

In the age of digitalization, Government Digital Transformation (GDD) stands out as a critical gauge of a nation's modernization drive. It reflects the extent of modernization within the governance framework and acts as a central catalyst for improving governance efficiency and the overall modernity of the system. Against this backdrop, this study empirically investigates the impact of GDD on green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) from 2011 to 2020, focusing on prefecture-level cities in China. Using a two-way fixed-effects model, we analyze how GDD influences GTFEE. Additionally, we explore the mediating effect and threshold models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the resource curse (RC). The findings of the study are as follows: first, GDD has a promoting effect on GTFEE; second, the promoting effect of GDD on GTFEE is more obvious in southern cities and fourth-tier cities; third, the RC plays a mediating effect in the relationship between GDD and GTFEE, specifically, GDD promotes GTFEE by suppressing the RC effect and then promotes GTFEE; fourth, the present study also identifies a RC threshold effect; when RC < 0.5127, the energy efficiency promotion effect of GDD is relatively limited, while when RC ≥ 0.5127, the promotion effect of GDD on GTFEE is significantly enhanced. These findings are of great value for understanding and optimizing the strategic significance of GDD in enhancing GTFEE. They provide a scientific basis and directional guidance for formulating and implementing related policies.

Research on the competitiveness of the Arctic transportation route under the belt and road initiative

AbstractWith the continuous improvement of the navigation environment of the Arctic routes, the commercialization potential of the Arctic routes is enhanced, which brings new challenges to the Suez Canal route and the China–Europe railway Express. In addition, geopolitical factors such as the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the Red Sea crisis have also brought some impact on the Eurasian transport pattern. In this context, the future trade and transportation between China and Europe will take on a new pattern. In order to study the transport competition pattern between China and Europe under the opening of the Arctic routes, this article takes into account the time‐value cost of goods and geopolitical factors, constructs a logit competition model, and quantitatively investigates the competitiveness of the Arctic route and the traditional routes of the “Belt and Road Initiative” using major international transportation hub cities in China. The results show that the types of cargo and the level of freight are important factors affecting the competitiveness of Arctic routes. Under the influence of geopolitics, the competitive advantage of the Arctic routes are highlighted.

Synergistic regional emission reductions in China: Network evolution, spatial and temporal characteristics, and driving factor

Synergistic regional emission reduction (SRER) is an important part of the strategy to achieve carbon neutrality. In this paper, a system efficiency value-added model is proposed to measure the strength of SRER network relationships for 40,186 sets of city pairs and the SRER levels of 284 cities in China from 2011 to 2021. Subsequently, the evolution characteristics of the SRER network, the spatial and temporal characteristics of urban SRER levels, and the driving factors of the SRER network evolution are further analyzed. The results are as follows: SRER network is shifting from a fan-shaped network pattern of “three-region clustering and sporadic coverage” to a shuttle-shaped nested network pattern of “east-west linkage and multi-region support”. Time series analysis found that urban SRER level in China showed fluctuating growth characteristics during the study period. Spatial analysis reveals that the spatial autocorrelation of urban SRER level is decreasing, and the spatial distribution range is expanding towards the southwest. Emission reduction comparative advantages (CAER), green innovation division of labor (GIDL) and urban economic linkages (LCEL) are driver factors of SRER network evolution. This study proposes an evaluation method for the urban SRER level from network relationships perspective. Subsequently, network evolution characterization, spatial and temporal characterization, and driving factor analysis were conducted. The results of the study provide important theoretical guidance and inspiration for grasping the current status and enhancement paths of China's urban SRER level.

Carsharing in China: Impact of system and urban factors on usage and efficiency

The carsharing service has experienced significant growth over the past few years in China, yet few studies have scrutinized the multi-city variations of this service. Using carsharing data from 61 cities in China, we analyzed the usage and efficiency of each city and investigated the impact of system and urban factors on the service performance. The study reveals vast differences in carsharing supply and demand across Chinese cities. Our results show the parking station density and the parking lot to vehicle ratio of the carsharing system are positively related to the usage. Urban factors such as public transportation availability, educational attainment levels, and vehicle restriction policies, are found to have significantly positive associations with the carsharing usage. However, no urban factors demonstrate significant associations with the efficiency measured by vehicle utilization rate. Moreover, the presence of other competing carsharing services within a city exhibits a positive impact on the performance of carsharing systems. This study also examined nonlinear effects of the factors. It provides valuable insights into the management of carsharing services in China, which can inform policy-making and operational strategies for sustainable development of carsharing.

China's environmental tax reform achieves the co-management of carbon and haze: the role of optimizing energy utilization

Environmental tax reform in China is an essential initiative to achieve carbon and haze co-management by shifting the Environmental Fee to Tax (EFT). Therefore, we employ a Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model to measure the level of carbon and haze co-management across three distinct scenarios in China. Treating the EFT policy as a quasi-natural experiment, the study explores its impact on carbon and haze co-management using data of 282 prefecture-level cities in China during 2015-2020. Furthermore, the study further analyzes the regional heterogeneity and the transmission mechanisms of optimizing energy utilization. The principal findings of this investigation are as follows. First, the co-management levels of carbon and haze in China show a discernible upward trend from 2015 to 2020. A heightened emphasis on carbon reduction is helpful in improving the co-management level of carbon and haze. Co-management levels of carbon and haze are lower within the treatment group compared to the control group, but their growth rates are higher. Second, the EFT policy in China significantly enhances the co-management level of carbon and haze. Third, the impact of China's EFT policy has a more pronounced effect in western China and a comparatively weaker effect in middle China, which may be attributed to variations in industrial infrastructure, supporting facilities, availability of clean energy resources, and prevailing policy inclinations across different regions of China. Finally, China's EFT policy is an instrumental factor in augmenting the co-management level of carbon and haze, primarily through pathways of upgrading energy structure and improving energy efficiency.

Sex Reconfigured: DIY Hormone Therapy and Vernacular Endocrinology in Transfeminine Communities in China

Faced with a restrictive institutional medical landscape, trans people in China turn to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) hormone therapy. While the existing health literature has studied the risks and impacts of informal hormone therapy, little is known about the practical strategies and the embedded meaning-making processes around hormone-taking on the ground. Building on digital and in-person participant observation conducted in two cities in China and semi-structured interviews with eight transfeminine individuals between 2021 and 2022, this article examines the embodied practices and community knowledge of tinkering with hormones. Specifically, I examine the ways that conventional biomedical notions of efficacy and risk are both enrolled and contested to understand bodily becoming in the community sphere of hormone-taking. Closely engaging with biomedical structure, ideas, and knowledge, trans people challenge and reformulate dominant notions of efficacy, risk, and toxicity. A form of DIY hormone literacy is taking shape in the community, informed by the hands-on engagement with medicine, an affinity with pharmaceuticals, and people’s temporal narratives of transition. Throughout these processes, practitioners multiply the materials and imagination of medicine. They reshape the narrowly-defined biomedical model of sex and enable an alternative onto-epistemology of hormonal sex-gender that is amenable to modification and constantly in flux. Drawing from medical anthropology, science and technology studies (STS), and feminist, queer, and trans studies, this article contributes to the conversation on the politics and poetics of sex-gender and embodied knowledge production in the community space.

Sources and human health risks associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in urban dust: A global perspective

Long-term exposure to urban dust containing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses detrimental impacts on human health. However, studies estimating human health risks in urban dusts from a global perspective are scarce. We evaluated data for twelve PTEs in urban dusts across 59 countries from 463 published articles, including their concentrations, input sources, and probabilistic risks to human health. We found that 34.1 and 60.3% of those investigated urban dusts have been heavily contaminated with As and Cd, respectively. The input of PTEs was significantly correlated with economic structure due to emissions of industrial activities and traffic emissions being the major sources. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation, we found that the mean hazard index below the safe threshold (1.0) could still cause non-negligible risks to human health. Arsenic and Cr were the major PTEs threatening human health, and relatively high risk levels were observed in cities in China, Korea, Chile, Malaysia, and Australia. Importantly, our analysis suggested that PTEs threaten the health of approximately 92 million adults and 280 million children worldwide. Overall, our study provides important foundational understanding and guidance for policy decision-making to reduce the potential risks associated with PTE exposure and to promote sustainable development of urban economies.

Urban inundation mapping by coupling 1D − 2D models and model comparison

Urban inundation mapping is important for early warning, management, and drainage network planning. Urban flood simulations typically utilize a 1D model focused on pipe nodes, whereas 2D simulations are required over a land area. In this paper, our focus is on their coupling, so that a dynamic 1D-2D model is obtained. We couple the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), a widely utilized urban drainage model, with 2D models to simulate urban inundation. The 1D-2D coupled inundation model uses the 1D model output, which represents the overflow volume of sparsely distributed pipe nodes. After coupling, surface inundation distribution maps are obtained. We developed a physically-based 2D overflow diffusion model (2D-DM) and compared it with two geostatistical models: Ordinary co-kriging (OCK) and Regression Kriging (RK). The study area is the central area of Haining City in China, where a severe storm occurred on August 3, 2018. The 2D-DM performed best (RMSE = 0.232), followed by RK (RMSE = 0.286), and OCK (RMSE = 0.361), but did not provide uncertainty measures, in contrast to the geostatistical models. We conclude that 1D-2D coupling was done successfully, with the different 2D models showing different qualities. To enhance urban inundation mapping, it is suggested to couple the 1D model with both physical and statistically based 2D models for a more comprehensive assessment of potential inundation areas and depths.

A Novel Optimization Model Based on Fuzzy Time Series for Short-term Air Quality Index Forecasting

The problem of air quality forecasting has caused a heated discussion among scholars at home and abroad. Short term air quality forecasting substantially impacts regulatory effectiveness to improve environmental and human health. Therefore, many scholars have proposed a lot of Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasting models to improve air quality forecasting performance. However, the fuzziness of air quality data is often ignored, which may reduce the effectiveness of the forecasting. In this study, a new fuzzy forecasting system that includes a fuzzy time series, data preprocessing technique, multi-objective bat optimization algorithm, and forecasting algorithms is proposed to increase air quality forecasting performance and accuracy. To evaluate the forecasting system effectiveness, one-hour AQI data collected from four cities in China are applied in three experiments. The experiment results find that the proposed forecasting system can effectively utilize the fuzziness of air quality data, and it not only improves the forecasting accuracy but also achieves a higher degree of certainty, which can effectively assist air quality supervision.