High-quality Development Research Articles

Nonlinear impact of the coordination of IFDI and OFDI on green total factor productivity in the context of “Dual Circulation”

Economic growth and environmental pollution have become the bases of geopolitical competition due to the multiple constraints of growth in energy consumption and environmental protection in recent decades. Whether the coordinated development of inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) and outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) promote economic growth while reducing environmental pollution and realizing high-quality development affects the overall socialist modernization under China’s “Dual Circulation” policy. Using China’s provincial panel data from 2005 to 2020, this paper first measured green total factor productivity (GTFP) and the coordinated development index (CDIFDI) of IFDI and OFDI via the slacks-based measure-global Malmquist–Luenberger (SBM-GML) model and the capacity coupling model. A panel threshold model with interactive effects (PTIFEs) was then applied to explore the nonlinear impact of the CDIFDI on China’s GTFP. Finally, a regional heterogeneity analysis was conducted for China’s eastern, central and western regions of China. Results show that (1) GTFP in China kept rising with small fluctuations during the sample period, with the increasing range of GTFP decreasing from east to west. (2) CDIFDI had a significant “U”-shaped threshold effect on GTFP, and the main threshold variables were the industrial structure and the level of economic development. (3) CDIFDI played a positive role in promoting GTFP growth in the eastern region, while the effects of CDIFDI on GTFP in the central and western regions were not significant. Policy-makers and enterprises should comprehensively consider promoting regional industrial upgrading and economic growth to achieve a greater positive impact of CDIFDI on GTFP. Scientifically measuring GTFP and exploring the nonlinear impact of the CDIFDI on GTFP and regional heterogeneity provide helpful references for policy-makers to coordinate the high-quality development of regional economies.

Marine policies’ Efficacy on Tourism Economy High-Quality Development: Empirical Evidence from China’s Coastal Region

Marine policies’ Efficacy on Tourism Economy High-Quality Development: Empirical Evidence from China’s Coastal Region

The Obstacles and Relief Paths of the High-quality Development of “Internet + Quality Education”—Taking Pugu Township of Liupanshui City as an Example

The article conducted a case study on the implementation of “Internet + quality education” in rural areas of Southwest China. It found that the infrastructure of “Internet + education” has basically realized full coverage. “Internet Plus” is subtly affecting the level of children’s qualitative development， and the effectiveness of the implementation of “Internet + quality education” has gradually become obvious. Case presentations to look at the reality, “Internet + quality education” still face a lot of difficulties such as: an imbalance in the structure of the teaching force, insufficient Teachers’ innovative ability in information technology teaching; low degree of integration between “Internet+” and quality education; Parents’ knowing less about quality education; students lack self-control and other dilemmas. In view of this, we should optimize the structure of the teaching staff and improve the overall professional quality and innovation ability of information technology teaching; establish a high-quality “Internet + quality education” resource base and management system; establish a three-dimensional “Internet + quality education” home, school and community co-education network. Starting from the three paths, we can realize the relief of obstacles.

Measurement and Empirical Study on High-Quality Development Index of Sports Industry - A Case Study of Shanghai, China

The high-quality development of China's sports industry represents a pivotal national strategy requiring systematic evaluation mechanisms. This study establishes a multidimensional indicator system through systematic literature review and Delphi expert consultation, encompassing four foundational dimensions (industrial foundation, quality, efficiency, and motive power), 11 secondary and 35 tertiary indicators. We employ a novel "dscatter degree evaluation method" to develop a dynamic evaluation model enabling temporal comparisons and spatial benchmarking. Empirical validation through longitudinal measurement (2014-2020) of Shanghai's sports industry reveals a 150.91% growth trajectory in its high-quality development index, while spatial analysis identifies distinct regional polarization patterns. Our findings demonstrate the system's capacity to transform empirical assessments into quantifiable metrics, providing an empirical framework for data-driven policy formulation in sports-developed urban centres. The methodology offers replicable tools for monitoring industrial transformation efficiency and optimizing resource allocation strategies in emerging sports economies.

The spatial coupling and its influencing mechanism between rural human-habitat heritage and key rural tourism villages in China

Exploring the influencing factors and its influencing mechanism of the spatial coupling between rural human-habitat heritage (RHH) and key rural tourism villages (RTV) at county scale from the perspective of space can expand the theoretical research on the spatial coupling mechanism between RHH and RTV, and further provide theoretical reference and data support for the coordinated development and high-quality development of RHH and RTV in China. At the same time, previous studies have failed to systematically analyze the influencing factors and influencing mechanisms of the spatial coupling between RHH and RTV at the county scale, which restricted decision makers from formulating coordinated development measures between RHH and RTV at the macro level. In this study, bivariate spatial autocorrelation model and spatial coupling coordination model were used to quantitatively analyze the spatial coupling level between RHH and RTV at the county scale in China. Then, the linear regression (OLS) model, geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, and optimal parameter GeoDetector (OPGD) model were integrated to systematically analyze the linear influencing, spatial heterogeneity effect and interactive effect of natural environment and socioeconomic factors on the spatial coupling level between RHH and RTV in China, and explore the interactive influencing mechanism. The results show that the spatial coupling level of RHH and RTV in China show a significant east-west differentiation. There were 2024, 473, 293, 55 and 6 areas of severe, moderate, mild, basic and moderate coordination between RHH and RTV, respectively. Among them, severe and moderate discoordination areas are mainly distributed in Northeast China, arid and semi-arid areas in Western China, plateau areas in Southwest China, densely populated urban agglomerations and plains agricultural areas in the Middle East China. Mild discoordination areas and basic and moderate coordination areas are mainly located in transition zones in mountainous and plain areas, economically developed mountainous and hilly counties along the southeastern coast, and coastal tourist cities. Economic and population factors are the fundamental factors that affect the spatial coupling between RHH and RTV. Rural tourism facilities and rural public service facilities are important external driving forces for the coupling development of RHH and RTV, and Sociocultural environment factors are the important internal driving forces. Different surface forms, different climate conditions and different ecological environment conditions can form different natural textures and spatial organizations. Suitable climate conditions, sufficient water sources and ecological environment conditions can form more suitable rural settlement construction conditions and production and living conditions, and ultimately affect the protection and activation of rural human settlement heritage and the development and layout of key tourist villages. The spatial coupling relationship between RHH and RTV is the result of the complex interaction between the natural directivity law caused by natural environmental factors and the humanistic directivity law caused by human social and economic activities.

Space and temporal evolution and driving force analysis of ecological compensation efficiency in cultivated land--take the nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin as an example.

The efficiency of farmland ecological compensation is a crucial indicator reflecting the effectiveness of input-output implementation in farmland ecological compensation. Investigating the spatial-temporal evolution patterns and driving factors of farmland ecological compensation efficiency holds significant practical value for agricultural ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. This study employs various methods including the EBM model, GML index, Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, Markov chain, non-parametric Kernel density estimation, and ArcGIS mapping to measure farmland compensation efficiency, analyze its spatial-temporal evolution patterns, and conduct a driving force analysis using a two-way fixed effects model. Results: (1) Spatial-temporal evolution patterns: Overall, the average farmland ecological compensation efficiency in the Yellow River Basin is relatively low. In terms of temporal trends, the efficiency exhibits a "V"-shaped cyclical fluctuation, gradually rising with a convergence trend. Spatially, farmland ecological compensation efficiency has gone through three stages: low in the center, high in the periphery; high in the center, low in the periphery; and finally, uniform across the entire region. Although cross-level transitions occur, a "leap" transition is difficult to achieve. Regionally, the overall spatial disparity in farmland ecological compensation efficiency in the Yellow River Basin shows a decreasing trend, following an "M"-shaped variation pattern. (2) Driving force analysis: Farmland productivity, agricultural machinery density, and the level of agricultural scale all exhibit positive effects on farmland ecological compensation efficiency, while the level of government agricultural support the degree of agricultural marketization, urbanization, and industrialization all have negative effects. It is necessary to allocate resources efficiently by region, promote coordinated regional development, empower high-quality agriculture through science and technology, innovate agricultural development models, foster government-business collaboration, and diversify strategies to enhance farmland ecological compensation efficiency.

Research on the architecture and practice of inquiry learning model integrated with digital twin

ABSTRACT Effective learning can be promoted by the complementary advantages of physical learning environment and virtual learning environment, but course teaching, as yet, has not been able to better achieve the crossing and integration of physical learning environment and virtual learning environment. Digital twin has the unique advantages of creating complex problem-solving situations, providing verifiable wisdom functions and reflective contexts. Guiding by the theory of inquiry learning and digital twin technology, this study proposed an inquiry learning model architecture integrating digital twin, constructed a virtual-real integration learning space framework model of digital twin, and put forward the corresponding implementation strategies. The results of experimental research showed that students had significant differences in learning cognition, self-learning efficacy and learning experience. The results of statistical analysis indicated that the academic performance of the students in the experimental class was significantly improved. The inquiry learning model integrating digital twin is helpful for colleges and universities to cultivate talents adapted to high-quality development.

Research on optimization strategies of university ideological and political parenting models under the empowerment of digital intelligence

The development of big data, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other new generations of intellectual technologies has triggered digital changes in university civic education’s resources, forms, and modes. It has become a new engine to promote the innovation and development of the civic education model. Digital and intellectual technology-enabled university civic and political education model can carry the concept of innovation through the subject, content, process, and scene of education and promote the development of the ideological and political parenting model in the direction of refinement, specialization, and conscientization. Based on the differential game model, this paper comprehensively considers the model characteristics of universities, enterprises, and governments and their intertemporal characteristics of collaborative parenting and innovation behaviors. It constructs the no-incentive, cost-sharing, and collaborative cooperation models, respectively, and obtains the optimal trajectories for the degree of effort, the subsidy coefficient, the optimal benefit function, and the digital and intelligent technology stock. The conclusions are as follows: (1) resource input cost and technological innovation cost are the key driving variables of university ideological and political parenting; (2) the government’s cost subsidy improves the degree of innovation effort of universities and enterprises, and thus achieves Pareto optimality for the three parties; (3) the degree of innovation effort, overall benefit and technology level of the three parties in the synergistic cooperation model is better than that of the other two models. Finally, the validity of the model is verified through numerical simulation analysis. An in-depth discussion of the digital intelligence-enabled ideological and political parenting model is necessary for the high-quality development of education, which helps improve the scientific and practical ideological and political parenting in the digital age.

Theoretical Analysis and Systematic Deconstruction of High Quality Development of Public Service for National Fitness

This study conducts a theoretical and systematic analysis of high-quality development (HQD) in China's National Fitness Public Service (NFPS). By integrating the principles of HQD—such as innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing—with the practical demands of NFPS, we propose a multi-dimensional governance framework that emphasizes dynamic adaptation between service supply and public demand. Through literature review, case studies (e.g., Shandong Province), and comparative analysis (e.g., England's urban-rural disparity), we identify key challenges including fragmented governance, resource imbalance, and inadequate technological integration. A "process-result" analytical model is developed to highlight the roles of digital empowerment (e.g., blockchain, big data platforms) and performance evaluation mechanisms in optimizing service equity and sustainability. The findings underscore the necessity of collaborative governance among government, market, and society, while advocating for policy innovations to address regional disparities. This research not only enriches the theoretical discourse on public health governance but also offers actionable insights for global contexts striving to achieve inclusive fitness service systems.

Evaluation of the Coordinated Development of the “Population–Economy” in Counties Within the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration

The coordinated development of urban agglomerations is a crucial means of establishing a territorial development and protection pattern with complementary advantages and high-quality development. In this study, an evaluation was performed on the coordinated development of the “population–economy” in the counties within the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration (BTHUA), focusing on the macro trend of coordinated development in this region. The evaluation methods included spatial autocorrelation analysis, the Gini coefficient, a comprehensive evaluation model, and a coupling coordination model. The results revealed that, in 2010 and 2022, the counties within the BTHUA exhibited strong positive spatial autocorrelation between evaluation indicators such as the population and economy, with notable and enhancing spatial clustering effects. The regional balance among all indicators was improved. The population distribution indicator and economic development indicator exhibited upward trends. The level of coupling coordination between the population and economy improved markedly. At the end of this paper, applicable strategies are recommended to drive economic growth and quality improvement in these counties, e.g., the orderly decentralization of the population and functions away from central urban areas to reduce the spatial carrying pressure and putting “policy guidance–fast-track resources–industrial upgrading” into practice. The purpose is to boost population–economy layout optimization and efficient resource allocation within the BTHUA.

An Empirical Study of the Effect of Pension Insurance Expenditure on the Savings Rate of Residents

Objective: Lowering the savings rate is a reflection of China's economic structure moving further toward equilibrium. The aim of this study is to explore how to unleash residents' consumption potential and lower the savings rate, a crucial challenge for the high-quality development of China's economy. The pension insurance system may be a positive factor in addressing this issue. Methods: The study selects panel data from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government in mainland China from 2014 to 2022. A two-way fixed-effects model is constructed for an empirical analysis of the impact of the basic pension insurance system on residents' savings rate. Results: The results indicate that the level of pension insurance coverage has a significant negative impact on residents' savings rate. In other words, increasing the level of pension insurance coverage will reduce residents' savings. Conclusion: This study helps the government to formulate more accurate and sustainable pension insurance policies and promote the optimization of China's economic structure.

Trade-off and synergy relationships and regional regulation of multifunctional cultivated land in the Yellow River Basin

Exploring the multifunctional trade-off and synergy relationship of cultivated land is of great significance for protecting cultivated land resources, ensuring food security, maintaining ecological security, and promoting high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Based on the selection of 379 counties with concentrated distribution of cultivated land, this study comprehensively evaluates the three-dimensional functional level of “production-society-ecology” of cultivated land from 2010 to 2020. The coupling coordination degree model, land system function trade-off degree model, and K-means clustering analysis method are used to analyze the trade-off and synergy relationship between cultivated land functions and divide the functional zones in the Yellow River Basin. 1) In the last 10 years, the levels of cultivated land production, social, and ecological functions in the Yellow River Basin are in the range of 0.01–0.47, 0.04 to 0.23, and 0.03 to 0.23, respectively. The production function is at a stable level, while the overall level of social and ecological functions has slightly improved. 2) The level of multifunctional coupling and coordination of cultivated land ranges from 0.22 to 0.65. Only 31.13% of counties have a high coupling degree between multiple functions. The production-ecological function in the upstream regions show a coordinated development trend. The social-ecological function in the midstream regions is well coordinated, and the production-social function and production-ecological function in downstream regions towards collaborative development. 3) According to the dominant functional types and the characteristics of multifunctional coupling and coordination, the cultivated land of Yellow River Basin is divided into 7 multifunctional zones, involving 149 with multifunctional advantage zones, 19 with P-S functional composite zones, 21 with P-E functional composite zones, 21 with S-E functional composite zones, 74 with social functional dominant zones, 29 with ecological functional dominant zones, 44 with grain functional dominant zones, and 22 with remediation key zones. The results can provide decision support for differentiated management of cultivated land in the Yellow River Basin and mutual promotion between functions.

The optimization of youth football training using deep learning and artificial intelligence

***This study aims to improve the effectiveness and outcomes of youth football training by utilizing advanced deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Firstly, the relevant dimensions of deep learning and key training techniques of deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are analyzed. Secondly, a key point detection model for youth football training is constructed based on deep learning CNNs. Lastly, interviews are conducted with five technology companies and thirty sports teachers to analyze the application scenarios of AI in campus football training. The results show that the difficulty of key point visibility in the youth football training key point detection model is not high, and the model can provide relatively accurate results. The model achieved an accuracy of over 90% in critical point prediction, with low prediction errors for key points related to foot placement and curve positioning, all of which remained below 15%. Both companies and schools consider policy, cognitive, attitude, and technological factors as key factors for applying AI in campus football. In addition, hardware facility factors and other related factors also have an impact on the application of AI in campus football. The research results have practical reference significance for the intelligent development of youth football training and can promote the high-quality development of youth football in China.

Research on Blockchain-Enabled Resilience Building and Risk Prevention and Control in Shipping Supply Chains Under Multiple Crises

Under the wave of economic globalization, the development of a global shipping network urgently requires the enhancement of supply chain resilience and risk prevention mechanisms. In recent years, the world has experienced multiple crises, including the public health crisis and the geopolitical crisis represented by the Red Sea shipping crisis. These crises have severely impacted international logistics and supply chains. The public health crisis has led to disconnections between production and demand, increased trade barriers, and higher shipping costs. The suspension and rerouting of the Red Sea shipping route via the Cape of Good Hope have resulted in extended shipping times, delayed deliveries, and soaring freight rates. The widespread application of blockchain technology can alleviate these issues. This paper investigates the positive effects of blockchain technology’s high transparency, automated risk control, and promotion of multi-party collaboration in addressing current crises, enhancing shipping supply chain resilience, and strengthening risk management. The paper aims to contribute to cost reduction, quality improvement, and high-quality development of international logistics.

Digital platforms enabling carbon neutral technology innovation: based on market incentives and government constraints

In the historical intersection of digital empowerment and carbon neutral goals, in order to make up for the deficiency of relevant research on low-carbon empowerment of digital platforms, based on China’s 2011–2022 provincial panel data, the study innovatively discusses the effects of digital platforms enabling carbon neutral technology innovation from the dual perspectives of market incentives and government constraints. The findings demonstrate that digital platforms significantly and positively directly influence carbon neutral technology innovation, with the effect showing the characteristics of “southeast>northwest”; Technology market development and environmental regulation have a significant intermediary effect in the process of enabling carbon neutral technology innovation by digital platforms. Digital platforms can indirectly promote carbon neutral technology innovation by improving the level of technology market development and environmental regulation; Based on regional heterogeneity, digital platforms can better promote carbon neutral technology innovation at a higher level of technology market development and environmental regulation. The study’s conclusions enrich the theoretical system of digital empowerment, guide the practice of green high-quality development, and provide a reference for the formulation of relevant policies of digital empowerment innovation and development.

Identification and Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds Based on GC-IMS Technology in Different Organs of Lilium brownii var. viridulum and After Bud-Removal and Non-Bud-Removal Treatments

Lilium brownii var. viridulum (Longya lily) is a widely used medicinal and culinary plant in China that is valued for its potential applications and development opportunities. The bulbs of Longya lily contain a variety of active components; volatile oil, as one of the main biologically active compounds, has been widely studied, and the stems, leaves, and flowers of Longya lily are also rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and related pharmacological effects, but the horizontal comparison of different organs of lily plants is lacking. In order to promote the sustainable development of resources, the composition characteristics and differences of bulbs, stems, leaves, and flowers, as well as two crop management methods (bud-removal and non-bud-removal), were comprehensively studied by GC-IMS technology in this study. Additionally, multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify the key components responsible for the observed differences among the plant organs and treatments. The research identified a total of 93 volatile organic compounds in Longya lily samples, primarily consisting of aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and esters. If the VOCs of Longya lily are to be used as raw materials, it is advisable to choose flowers and leaves with a higher concentration of these components for harvesting. Notably, bulbs that were non-bud-removal exhibited a greater total content of volatile flavor substances compared to those that were treated with bud removal, with hexanal-D and (E)-2-hexenal-D being the most prevalent volatile organic compounds. This study provided theoretical support for the harvesting parts and crop management methods of Longya lily based on volatile organic compounds and promoted the high-quality development of the Longya lily industry.

Pre-Assessment Research of Regional Spatial Planning from the Perspective of Spatial Evolution

As an important policy tool for guiding the development and protection of territorial space, the specific impact of spatial planning on the evolution of territorial space and the effects of its implementation have not yet been fully recognized. At the planning formulation stage, the feedback cycle of the implementation effect of planning is too long, and the adjustment is too slow to take effect. This directly affects the effectiveness and relevance of planning implementation. In this study, we propose a framework for pre-assessment of regional spatial planning based on the evolution of territorial space. We construct an indicator system from four dimensions to pre-assess the effectiveness of territorial spatial planning. The results show that the land use change simulation model, based on historical data coupled with planning elements, achieves an accuracy of 0.8457, which can accurately reflect the impact of planning on the evolution of land space. The results of the evaluation show that: (1) Planning elements such as concentrated urban construction areas, schools, and other public service facilities are the main driving forces behind the future evolution of territorial space. (2) Regional spatial planning has a significant effect on adjusting the spatial layout and optimizing the spatial form, and it has a certain effect on restricting the total scale of the construction area, improving the efficiency of land use, and lowering carbon emissions. (3) Existing planning strategies are still too rigid, so further enhancement of “flexibility” and “blank space” in planning is necessary. Additionally, guidance for improving the efficiency of land development needs to be further strengthened. The main contribution of this study is to provide a reliable pre-evaluation framework for policymakers and scholars. This will help identify problems and shortcomings at the planning formulation stage, allowing them to be optimized and adjusted in a timely manner. Under the guidance of scientific and reasonable planning, it will further promote the green and high-quality development and protection of territorial space.

A Study on the Impact of Population Aging on the Agricultural Socialized Services

Actively coping with the aging of the rural population is an inevitable requirement for the implementation of high-quality development of modern agriculture and the comprehensive promotion of rural revitalization. Agricultural socialized services can effectively integrate the two key elements of technology and people in agricultural production and management. Based on research data on the livelihoods and economic behavior of 1023 farming households in 2021, this paper explores the impact of an aging population on the implementation of socialized agricultural services by rural households. The results of the study show that population aging has a significant positive influence on the degree of agricultural socialized services. The aging of the population has a significant positive influence on unified irrigation services, mechanized farming services, straw collection services, and origin processing services, which are labor-replacing and highly mechanized agricultural science and technology socialized services. The results of the heterogeneity analysis show that both young and middle-aged rural households and older rural households have a clear demand for agricultural socialized services. Based on this, we propose policy recommendations in two aspects: guiding land transfer in the context of rural aging and establishing a variety of agricultural technology socialized service types.

Configurational Pathways for Fintech-Empowered Sustainable Innovation in SRDIEs Under Financing Constraints

The high-quality development of specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises (SRDIEs) is essential for advancing an innovation-driven strategy. This paper investigates the impact of financial technology (Fintech) on sustainable innovation within SRDIEs that face financing challenges, analyzing it from supply-side, demand-side, and environmental perspectives. We utilize fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fSQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to explore the configurational paths and complex causal effects of Fintech in facilitating the innovation of SRDIEs amid financing challenges. By employing a combination of NCA and fsQCA, this study identifies several effective pathways through which Fintech enhances the innovation efficiency of SRDIEs. We develop an integrative model to enhance innovation inputs, outputs, and sustainability. The key findings include the following: (1) Fintech significantly enhances innovation output, supported by business efficiency and digital intelligence; (2) two distinct pathways for achieving high-innovation inputs are identified, driven by Fintech intensity and effective credit allocation, with specialization and financial mismatches serving as auxiliary factors; (3) the core conditions of Fintech intensity and the financing environment, along with competitive banking, promote innovation motivation and sustainability in highly specialized enterprises. The conclusions of this study provide both theoretical and practical insights for SRDIEs to tackle innovation challenges characterized by an “inability to innovate”, a “lack of willingness to innovate”, and “ineffectiveness in innovation”, enabling their transition from merely being “able to innovate” and “daring to innovate” to becoming “proficient in sustainable innovation”. These findings offer differentiated sustainable innovation solutions for enterprises through three avenues: capacity building on the demand side, channel optimization on the supply side, and ecological cultivation on the environmental side.

Spatial Effects and Driving Factors of Consumption Upgrades on Municipal Solid Waste Eco-Efficiency, Considering Emission Outputs

To achieve the goal of building zero-waste cities, managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment is a critical step toward carbon neutrality. Waste produced by consumption activities constitutes an essential component of MSW management. Using the Super Slacks-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis (SSBM-DEA) model and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), this study investigates the spatial impacts of consumption upgrading (CU) on municipal waste management across 30 provinces in China, with a particular focus on GHGs as undesirable outputs. In this study, we construct a framework from the dimensions of consumption level, consumption structure, and green consumption. Additionally, other socioeconomic factors influencing waste management are explored. The results indicate a convergence trend in the uneven distribution of consumption upgrading, with the gaps between regions gradually narrowing. Consumption upgrading significantly enhances the eco-efficiency of local waste management and exhibits notable spatial spillover effects, positively influencing the eco-efficiency of neighboring regions. Furthermore, the promotion effect of consumption upgrading on the central and western regions, compared with the eastern region, is more pronounced. This indicates that the technological catch-up resulting from consumption upgrading, supported by policies, can further enhance the eco-efficiency of MSW. This study also provides insights for other regions transitioning from scale expansion to high-quality development in waste management.