Spatial Correlation of Digital Economy Innovation and Economic Growth in China

Digital technology innovation has become a powerful driving force for economic growth and social development. However, due to significant disparities in digital technology research and development investment, patent applications, industrial foundation, and policy support across different regions, there exists a notable variation in the spatial distribution and development level of digital economy innovation among China’s regions. This article measures the digital economy innovation levels of each region, establishes a spatial association network using the gravity model to calculate the centrality indicators of each region, and thereby determines their position in the network. The digital economy innovation levels and network positions of each region are used as core explanatory variables, and a spatial econometric model is employed to analyze their impact on economic growth. The main conclusions of the article are as follows. (1) From 2011 to 2022, the cities with the highest levels of digital economy innovation in China are concentrated in economically developed regions such as Beijing–Tianjin–Tangshan, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta. The overall distribution pattern shows higher levels in the southeast and lower levels in the northwest. (2) Provinces with higher centrality in the digital economy innovation network include both economically developed and underdeveloped regions, indicating the spatial effects of digital economy innovation. (3) Digital economy innovation can not only promote local economic growth but also drive economic growth in neighboring regions through spillover effects. (4) There is a positive correlation between the position in the digital economy innovation network and regional economic growth rates.