High-Speed Rail Network, Entrepreneurial Activity and High-Quality Development: Empirical Data from Chinese Cities

Abstract

This study delves into the impact mechanism of the high-speed rail network (HSRN) on the high development of the regional economy. Theoretically, the construction of HSRN facilitates resource mobility across urban regions, thereby enhancing entrepreneurial activities, and ultimately spurring high-quality development of regional economy. By utilizing empirical methodologies, the research examines the correlation between HSRN’s expansion and the quality of economic development across 293 Chinese cities at the prefectural level and above, spanning the period from 2005 to 2021. The findings indicate that the development of HSRN does provide an environment conducive to entrepreneurial activities. Consequently, it can be inferred that the expansion of HSRN exerts a positive impact on entrepreneurial activities. Statistical analyses of pertinent data reveal that in the early phases of HSRN construction, its contribution to enhancing the quality of economic development is relatively modest. However, as the coverage of HSRN continuously expands and improves, its marginal promoting effect on the quality of economic development gradually intensifies, with the progressive incrementing nonlinear characteristics. The study shows that HSRN not only makes a positive impact on the development of the regional economy, but also generates a significant spatial spillover effect on the neighbouring regions. This effect contributes to creating synergies in regional economic development, driving the economy to a higher quality stage of development at the regional and national levels, thereby comprehensively promoting the structure optimization and quality improvement of the overall economy.