Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones

IntroductionThis research aims to empirically investigate the dual effects of establishing the Marine Economic Development Pilot Zone (MEDPZ) on marine economic growth and environmental governance. The study focuses on China’s coastal provinces, where MEDPZs have been implemented, to assess their im...

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Main Authors: Zhiyong Song, Zechen Li, Yipin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1497895/full
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author Zhiyong Song
Zechen Li
Yipin Zhang
author_facet Zhiyong Song
Zechen Li
Yipin Zhang
author_sort Zhiyong Song
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis research aims to empirically investigate the dual effects of establishing the Marine Economic Development Pilot Zone (MEDPZ) on marine economic growth and environmental governance. The study focuses on China’s coastal provinces, where MEDPZs have been implemented, to assess their impacts on both economic and environmental aspects.MethodsThe study employs a Time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) model based on panel data from China’s coastal provinces. This method allows for assessing the causal impact of MEDPZ establishment on marine economic growth and environmental governance by comparing pilot provinces with non-pilot provinces over time.ResultsThe establishment of MEDPZ has significantly enhanced marine economic growth and environmental governance in the pilot provinces. Specifically, marine economic growth increased by 1.222 percentage points, while environmental governance improved by 0.748. Additionally, the impact of MEDPZ establishment varied spatially across different marine economic circles. The northern marine economic circle experienced the most substantial economic growth and environmental governance benefits. The southern marine economic circle saw a significant increase in economic growth but a relatively minor improvement in environmental governance. In contrast, the eastern marine economic circle was not substantially affected.DiscussionThe findings suggest that the establishment of MEDPZ has effectively boosted the competitiveness of the marine economy in pilot provinces while mitigating adverse environmental impacts. This is achieved through promoting scientific and technological advancement and strengthening government regulation. The study provides a scientific basis for policymakers to formulate and implement marine economic development strategies that consider regional differences, enhance financial support for marine science and technology R&D, and enforce stricter regulations for marine environmental protection.
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spelling doaj-art-6f3e1783129e49d09e4e008d8ecc29152025-08-20T02:08:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-04-011210.3389/fmars.2025.14978951497895Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot ZonesZhiyong Song0Zechen Li1Yipin Zhang2School of Economics, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaSchool of Economics, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaSchool of Marxism, Henan College of Transportation, Zhengzhou, ChinaIntroductionThis research aims to empirically investigate the dual effects of establishing the Marine Economic Development Pilot Zone (MEDPZ) on marine economic growth and environmental governance. The study focuses on China’s coastal provinces, where MEDPZs have been implemented, to assess their impacts on both economic and environmental aspects.MethodsThe study employs a Time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) model based on panel data from China’s coastal provinces. This method allows for assessing the causal impact of MEDPZ establishment on marine economic growth and environmental governance by comparing pilot provinces with non-pilot provinces over time.ResultsThe establishment of MEDPZ has significantly enhanced marine economic growth and environmental governance in the pilot provinces. Specifically, marine economic growth increased by 1.222 percentage points, while environmental governance improved by 0.748. Additionally, the impact of MEDPZ establishment varied spatially across different marine economic circles. The northern marine economic circle experienced the most substantial economic growth and environmental governance benefits. The southern marine economic circle saw a significant increase in economic growth but a relatively minor improvement in environmental governance. In contrast, the eastern marine economic circle was not substantially affected.DiscussionThe findings suggest that the establishment of MEDPZ has effectively boosted the competitiveness of the marine economy in pilot provinces while mitigating adverse environmental impacts. This is achieved through promoting scientific and technological advancement and strengthening government regulation. The study provides a scientific basis for policymakers to formulate and implement marine economic development strategies that consider regional differences, enhance financial support for marine science and technology R&D, and enforce stricter regulations for marine environmental protection.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1497895/fullMarine Economic Development Pilot Zonestime-varying difference-in-differences modelmarine economic growthmarine environmental governancespatial heterogeneity
spellingShingle Zhiyong Song
Zechen Li
Yipin Zhang
Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
Frontiers in Marine Science
Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
time-varying difference-in-differences model
marine economic growth
marine environmental governance
spatial heterogeneity
title Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
title_full Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
title_fullStr Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
title_full_unstemmed Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
title_short Dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance: an empirical analysis of China’s Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
title_sort dual advancement of marine economic growth and environmental governance an empirical analysis of china s marine economic development pilot zones
topic Marine Economic Development Pilot Zones
time-varying difference-in-differences model
marine economic growth
marine environmental governance
spatial heterogeneity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1497895/full
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AT zechenli dualadvancementofmarineeconomicgrowthandenvironmentalgovernanceanempiricalanalysisofchinasmarineeconomicdevelopmentpilotzones
AT yipinzhang dualadvancementofmarineeconomicgrowthandenvironmentalgovernanceanempiricalanalysisofchinasmarineeconomicdevelopmentpilotzones