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<p>Digitalization is a cornerstone of rural revitalization, yet the link between e-commerce and rural economic agglomeration remains empirically under-explored. Utilizing the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project (NRECDP) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study examines how e-commerce fosters economic agglomeration at the township level. Analyzing a comprehensive panel dataset of townships across 2,668 Chinese counties from 2006 to 2022, we find that the NRECDP significantly promotes rural economic agglomeration. This effect is particularly pronounced in the Eastern region and in areas with advanced digital infrastructure (big data pilot zones). Mechanism analysis reveals that e-commerce acts as a structural transformer, driving agglomeration by optimizing industrial structures and catalyzing entrepreneurial activities. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers aiming to leverage digital platforms for urban–rural integration and sustainable regional development.</p>

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The effect of rural e-commerce on economic agglomeration: evidence based on the comprehensive demonstration policy for e-commerce in rural China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月9日

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  • Hao Chen,
  • Xiuli Zhong,
  • Bo Li,
  • Xue Li

摘要

Digitalization is a cornerstone of rural revitalization, yet the link between e-commerce and rural economic agglomeration remains empirically under-explored. Utilizing the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project (NRECDP) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study examines how e-commerce fosters economic agglomeration at the township level. Analyzing a comprehensive panel dataset of townships across 2,668 Chinese counties from 2006 to 2022, we find that the NRECDP significantly promotes rural economic agglomeration. This effect is particularly pronounced in the Eastern region and in areas with advanced digital infrastructure (big data pilot zones). Mechanism analysis reveals that e-commerce acts as a structural transformer, driving agglomeration by optimizing industrial structures and catalyzing entrepreneurial activities. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers aiming to leverage digital platforms for urban–rural integration and sustainable regional development.