Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US

[Objective] The petrochemical industry is crucial for China’s economic stability. Investigating the structural evolution and vulnerability of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network in the context of Sino-US strategic competition is of great significance for ensuring the industry’s secure...

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Main Author: GUO Jianke, YANG Jiaming, PENG Fei, LUO Hao, ZHAO Liangshi
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Science Press, PR China 2025-07-01
Series:Ziyuan Kexue
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Online Access:https://www.resci.cn/fileup/1007-7588/PDF/1755074678546-88071063.pdf
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author GUO Jianke, YANG Jiaming, PENG Fei, LUO Hao, ZHAO Liangshi
author_facet GUO Jianke, YANG Jiaming, PENG Fei, LUO Hao, ZHAO Liangshi
author_sort GUO Jianke, YANG Jiaming, PENG Fei, LUO Hao, ZHAO Liangshi
collection DOAJ
description [Objective] The petrochemical industry is crucial for China’s economic stability. Investigating the structural evolution and vulnerability of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network in the context of Sino-US strategic competition is of great significance for ensuring the industry’s secure and stable growth. [Methods] Complex network analysis was employed to analyze the structural evolution of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network from 2007 to 2022. A Sino-US petrochemical industry chain trade network model was constructed to compare the influence of both countries. Scenario simulations based on the GDELT (Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone) bilateral relations data were conducted to evaluate the vulnerability of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network. [Results] (1) China’s petrochemical industry chain made significant advancements in the field of petrochemical products, shifting from a raw material-dependent model to a product-export-oriented model. The trade partner structure expanded from an Asia-centered pattern to a global network, with continuous optimization of the industry chain trade network. However, structural vulnerabilities persisted in the basic chemical raw material network. (2) China and the United States shared highly overlapping trade partners in synthetic materials. The United States maintained its traditional advantages in petroleum and derived petroleum products, while China demonstrated stronger influence in the field of petrochemical products. (3) In terms of network vulnerability, China’s basic chemical raw material network showed relatively high vulnerability, particularly in the import segment, whereas the petroleum network exhibited diversification and stability. The organic chemical raw material network maintained stability with minor adjustments, and the petroleum products and synthetic material networks demonstrated low vulnerability. Under Sino-US strategic competition, decoupling from specific countries (regions) would lead to high vulnerability in China’s petroleum product imports and the import-export segments of basic chemical raw materials, but the impact on other segments of the industry chain remained relatively controllable. [Conclusion] China should deepen the “crude-to-chemicals” strategy, strengthen domestic energy security and international cooperation, and establish a risk assessment and early warning system to enhance the resilience and stability of the industry chain.
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spelling doaj-art-d2f06e5d0c4b41db8c8dc88c183694122025-08-20T03:37:02ZzhoScience Press, PR ChinaZiyuan Kexue1007-75882025-07-014771546156110.18402/resci.2025.07.12Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the USGUO Jianke, YANG Jiaming, PENG Fei, LUO Hao, ZHAO Liangshi01. Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Marine Sustainable Development, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China;2. University Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Economy High-Quality Development of Liaoning Province, Dalian 116029, China[Objective] The petrochemical industry is crucial for China’s economic stability. Investigating the structural evolution and vulnerability of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network in the context of Sino-US strategic competition is of great significance for ensuring the industry’s secure and stable growth. [Methods] Complex network analysis was employed to analyze the structural evolution of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network from 2007 to 2022. A Sino-US petrochemical industry chain trade network model was constructed to compare the influence of both countries. Scenario simulations based on the GDELT (Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone) bilateral relations data were conducted to evaluate the vulnerability of China’s petrochemical industry chain trade network. [Results] (1) China’s petrochemical industry chain made significant advancements in the field of petrochemical products, shifting from a raw material-dependent model to a product-export-oriented model. The trade partner structure expanded from an Asia-centered pattern to a global network, with continuous optimization of the industry chain trade network. However, structural vulnerabilities persisted in the basic chemical raw material network. (2) China and the United States shared highly overlapping trade partners in synthetic materials. The United States maintained its traditional advantages in petroleum and derived petroleum products, while China demonstrated stronger influence in the field of petrochemical products. (3) In terms of network vulnerability, China’s basic chemical raw material network showed relatively high vulnerability, particularly in the import segment, whereas the petroleum network exhibited diversification and stability. The organic chemical raw material network maintained stability with minor adjustments, and the petroleum products and synthetic material networks demonstrated low vulnerability. Under Sino-US strategic competition, decoupling from specific countries (regions) would lead to high vulnerability in China’s petroleum product imports and the import-export segments of basic chemical raw materials, but the impact on other segments of the industry chain remained relatively controllable. [Conclusion] China should deepen the “crude-to-chemicals” strategy, strengthen domestic energy security and international cooperation, and establish a risk assessment and early warning system to enhance the resilience and stability of the industry chain.https://www.resci.cn/fileup/1007-7588/PDF/1755074678546-88071063.pdfpetrochemical industry chain|trade network|complexity|structural evolution|comparative study|scenario simulation|china
spellingShingle GUO Jianke, YANG Jiaming, PENG Fei, LUO Hao, ZHAO Liangshi
Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US
Ziyuan Kexue
petrochemical industry chain|trade network|complexity|structural evolution|comparative study|scenario simulation|china
title Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US
title_full Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US
title_fullStr Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US
title_full_unstemmed Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US
title_short Evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of China’s petrochemical industry chain: Based on a comparative perspective between China and the US
title_sort evolution and vulnerability of the trade network structure of china s petrochemical industry chain based on a comparative perspective between china and the us
topic petrochemical industry chain|trade network|complexity|structural evolution|comparative study|scenario simulation|china
url https://www.resci.cn/fileup/1007-7588/PDF/1755074678546-88071063.pdf
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