The Policy Evolution Characteristics of Regional Integration Development in the Yangtze River Delta: A Quantitative Analysis Based on Policy Texts from 2003 to 2022

Abstract

The systematic analysis of policy texts on promoting regional integration in the Yangtze River Delta region is of great significance for promoting higher-quality development of this Chinese region. By collecting 803 policy texts from 2003 to 2022 and using policy text and social network analysis methods, we statically reveal the evolution patterns of integration policies in the Yangtze River Delta under different dimensions. According to our research, the types of policies for integration in the Yangtze River Delta are diverse and flexible, with agreement policies being the main focus; the number of annual policy releases shows a trajectory of first fluctuating and then stabilizing growth; policy makers are mainly based on multi-department joint formulation across departments, levels, and administrative regions, supplemented by individual provinces and cities under the guidance of the central government; the integration coverage rate is gradually increasing, but there are differences in the level of emphasis within the field and among provinces and cities; and there is an imbalance in the use of both policy tools as a whole and sub-tools. Based on this, while prioritizing the integrated development of ecology, technology, economy, and other fields, while also promoting comprehensive integration in education, law, information, food safety, and other fields; policy makers should appropriately increase the use of contractual economic tools, maintain the current use trend of structural forcing tools, and enhance the stability of the use of interactive impact tools to ensure the balance and effectiveness of the use of policy tools.