China’s digital and green (twin) transition: insights from national and regional innovation policies

2025/09/11 by Brueck, Chris, Losacker, Sebastian, Liefner, Ingo
#330 #910 #China #digital technologies #green technologies #innovation #policy #twin transition

paper · doi:10.15488/19609

Abstract

This paper examines the role of policy in China’s digital and green (twin) transition, building on a qualitative study of a large corpus of policy documents in green and digital domains. We analyse the multi-level governance of these transitions for three regional case studies: Shanghai, Wuhan and Hangzhou. We find that regions both adopt and adjust green and digital aims and means differently from national policy. A twin transition is not comprehensively addressed at the national level, but is partially implemented in the three regions. Based on our findings, we develop a regional typology sketching top-down policy implementation strategies.

Related

• Digitalization and sustainable development: How could digital economy development improve green innovation in China?
• Environmental regulation promotes green technological diversification: evidence from Chinese cities
• The twin green and digital transition: High-level policy or science fiction?
• Bridging industry and technology: The spatial and sectoral embedded dynamics of green technology diversification
• Analysis of hotspot areas in China's satellite internet innovation policies and research on policy evolution