China’s new urban clusters strategy for coordinated economic growth: Evidence from the sports industry

Self Cite

Objectives The development of the digital economy constitutes a key component of China’s endeavors to advance towards “Digital China.” The sports industry functions as a new catalyst for high-quality economic growth. This study systematically evaluated the integration between these two sectors. Methods First, we conducted two levels of grey relational analysis to assess their integration between 2016 and 2021. Second, we conducted a VAR analysis to determine whether their integration between 2009 and 2021 represents a causal relationship. Results At the macro level, the grey relational analysis reveals that the sports industry (grade = 0.770) ranked second among China’s eight key economic sectors in terms of digital economy integration. At the meso level, a wide variation (ranging from 0.606 to 0.789) existed in the grade of integration between the digital economy and the sub-sectors of the sports industry. According to the VAR model, the digital economy does not Granger cause (p = 0.344) the growth of the sports industry. Conclusions This study yielded two added values to the existing literature: First, there exists a sectoral imbalance in the digitization process; second, the explosive growth of the sports industry was not primarily caused by the digital economy. Accordingly, the “sports + digital” complex is still in the first wave of technological integration. We propose three policy recommendations, namely, sectoral synergistic development, overtaking via esports IP, and new economy and new regulation. Collectively, these findings provide updated insights for the digital transformation towards “building a leading sports nation” and “Digital China.”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…China’s digital economy in 2022 amounted to 50.2 trillion yuan, or 41.5% of the country’s GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. Presently, nearly all of the sales in this industry are generated in the domestic market [ 82 ]. In turn, there is significant potential for expansion by exploring new overseas markets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic evaluation of integration between China’s digital economy and sports industry: Two-stage grey relational analysis and vector autoregressive model

Sun,

Su,

Zhou

et al. 2024

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“…Projections indicate a maintenance of current growth rates until 2027, followed by a gradual slowdown. Thus, high-quality urbanization, as defined in the latest government strategy, will remain a fundamental driver for the China sports lottery and the broader sports industry over the next nine years [59]. During this period, policymakers in the China sports lottery sphere can serve both as beneficiaries and contributors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In quest of China sports lottery development path to common prosperity in 2035

Yao,

Wan,

Long

et al. 2024

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Objectives The China sports lottery contributes to sports and welfare causes. This study aims to construct a macro forecasting model supporting its sustained growth aligned with Vision 2035. Methods The modeling employed a distributional regression. Sales data of the China sports lottery from 2011 to 2022 were chosen as the response variable, alongside various macro- and event-level explanatory factors. Results A gamma distribution best fit the data. In the stable model spanning 2011–2019, urbanization, population dynamics, and FIFA emerged as significant contributors (Chi–square p < 0.05) to the location shift parameter. These three factors retained their significance in the 2011–2022 shock model, where shock itself notably impacted sales (p < 0.001). Utilizing the shock model, we simulated the trajectory of the China sports lottery up to 2035. China’s demographics changes are poised to create structural headwinds starting in 2026, leading to an anticipated decline in sales driven by population shifts from 2032 onward. However, the FIFA effect is projected to continue fortifying this sector. Conclusions Beyond offering original insights into the sales trajectory until 2035, specifically concerning new urbanization, negative population growth, and the FIFA effect, this macro forecasting framework can assist in addressing the policy priority of balancing growth with risk mitigation. We recommend policymakers connect market development with mass sports, potentially garnering a dual boost from the growing population of older consumers and the inherent benefits of a “FIFA (mass sports)” effect. A people-centered approach to the China sports lottery could significantly contribute to the long–range objectives of achieving common prosperity outlined in Vision 2035.

“…Generally, when individuals have higher discretionary income, their engagement in sports consumption tends to rise [ 16 ], potentially boosting sports participation and physical fitness. Meanwhile, economic progress, such as the GDP expansion (x4), and the sports industry can be viewed as a coupling system [ 17 ]. Additionally, the sports industry falls within the tertiary sector, and the value added by this sector (x5) can reflect the development of sports workers and infrastructure [ 18 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empirical analysis of spatial heterogeneity in the development of China’s National Fitness Plan

2024

Purpose The National Fitness Plan (NFP) is a vital initiative aimed at realizing Healthy China 2030. This study assessed spatial heterogeneity in the NFP development and the socioeconomic factors contributing to this inequality. Methods Data from 31 administrative regions in 2021 were analyzed using four NFP development metrics. Spatial autocorrelation was evaluated using global Moran’s I, followed by global and local regression models for non-random spatial patterns. Results National physical fitness exhibited significant clustering (z = 5.403), notably a high-high cluster in East China. The global regression model identified three socioeconomic factors in the geographically weighted regression model: per capita disposable income and the number of public buses positively affected national physical fitness, while general public budget expenditure had a negative impact. Conclusions Persistent unequal NFP development is projected due to income disparities in economically backward regions. To promote the NFP effectively, a cost-efficient strategy includes creating 15-minute fitness circles, especially by establishing public sports facilities in Western China communities. These findings inform policy priorities for advancing the NFP towards Healthy China 2030.