The Impact of COVID-19 Epidemic on the Development of the Digital Economy of China-Based on the Data of 31 Provinces in China

Aidi Xu; Fangbin Qian; Chih-Hung Pai; Na Yu; Pan Zhou

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.778671

The Impact of COVID-19 Epidemic on the Development of the Digital Economy of China-Based on the Data of 31 Provinces in China

Front Public Health. 2022 Jan 27:9:778671. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.778671. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Aidi Xu^{1

2}, Fangbin Qian^{1

2}, Chih-Hung Pai¹, Na Yu¹, Pan Zhou³

Affiliations

¹ School of Hospitality Management, Zhejiang Yuexiu University, Shaoxing, China.
² Center for International Education, Philippine Christian University, Manila, Philippines.
³ College of Business and Economics, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on economic development of China by measuring the HP financial index as an alternative variable of the digital economy. This study shows that economy of China developed further with the dissemination of COVID-19. Furthermore, the digital economy increased the level of economic development more prominently at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, an analysis of regional heterogeneity reveals that the eastern region maintained economic stability through its digital economy during COVID-19, while the central region improved its digital economy during COVID-19 pandemic. Although the economically underdeveloped western region has not suffered too seriously from COVID-19 pandemic, considering the sustained impact of disease and the uncertainty of its transmission speed, the region should vigorously develop its digital economy to manage public risk.

Keywords: COVID-19; China economy; digital pneumonia; sustainability; uncertain public risks.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
China / epidemiology
Economic Development
Humans
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2