Digital Inequalities in China in 2020: Spatial and Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

China’s digital divide is explored through spatial and multivariate analysis. The dependent variables include general uses of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and mobile devices, measures of ICT infrastructure, purposeful uses for software services, and purposeful uses of e-commerce. Independent variables include a variety of demographic, economic, educational, ethnic, innovation, and knowledge production indicators. Data come from the China Yearbook. Theoretically, the study draws on the Spatially Aware Technology Utilization Model (SATUM). Digital disparities in Chinese provinces are analyzed using regression analysis, spatial autocorrelation, and k-means cluster analysis. The important correlates associated with digital inequality are expenditure for science and technology, income, R&D investment, full-time teachers, non-Han (minority) population, and proportion of urbanization. Longitudinal comparison reveals factors influencing ICT changes to be expenditure on science and technology, the unemployment rate, and college degree. Among the cluster findings are geographic concentrations of digital variables in Shanghai and Beijing and marked spatial pattern differences in central and central–east China between variable groups. Provincial and national policy implications, which are compared to China’s five-year plans, include an emphasis on science and technology, technology education in all provinces, support for higher provincial incomes, and ICT training for the non-Han population. These steps are especially important in ICT-deprived provinces.