At present, geopolitics has become a significant force affecting the global resource market. China has a high dependence on importing strategic mineral resources. It is crucial to prevent the threatening impact of geopolitical risks on resource import security, and to deepen the implementation of the national resource security strategy. This article reviewed relevant literature both in China and internationally from the perspective of resource geopolitics theory, systematically analyzing the development process, key issues, and current geopolitical risks faced by China’s critical mineral resource supply security. Further literature analysis identified that there are three paths that geopolitical risks affect China’s resource import. The first path is “risk-demand and supply imbalance-price uncertainty”, where the geopolitical risks would make the resource price fluctuate by affecting the market demand-supply network; The second path is “risk-source crisis-supply uncertainty”, which refers to the threat to the stability of resource supply posed by geopolitical risks through triggering import source crises; The third path is “risk-channel vulnerability-transportation uncertainty”, which means that geopolitical risks exacerbate the vulnerability of import transportation channels and further cause disruption to resource transportation. A systematic review of main empirical studies found that relevant studies generally support the negative impact of geopolitical risks on China’s resource import, but also suggest that this impact is nonlinear and there is an interactive relationship between the impact paths. This article also summarized the resource geo-security strategies in the literature. On this basis, future research directions are proposed, including improving the assessment of resource geopolitical risk,exploring the pattern of price changes under geopolitical risk, strengthening the dynamic identification of geopolitical risk in resource transportation process.

[Objective] Collaborative governance is increasingly important in coping with complex grassland resource and environmental problems under dynamic changes, but the effectiveness of governance also depends partly on the fit between the governing and governed systems, thus there is a need to embed a fit perspective for advancing the scientific understanding of the formation mechanism of collaborative governance network. [Methods] Based on the first-hand data from surveys conducted in 2020 and 2022 at Yangrang Village, Gonghe County, Qinghai Province, we constructed the social-ecological network of herders and rangeland using multilevel network and minimum building block methods, and further empirically examined the role of structural, actor attribute, covariate, and fit effects in the formation of collaborative governance network among herders using the multilevel exponential random graph model based on the description of the basic characteristics of the network. [Results] (1) The collaborative network is characterized by low density and high centralization, and each herder has two collaborative ties on average. (2) Among the structural effects, only ties closure promotes the formation of collaborative network, i.e., collaborative ties are more likely to be established between herders who share a common collaborative partner. (3) In the actor attribute effects, the activity effect is stronger than the homophily effect. For the former, social status, years of education and managed pastureland area all have a positive effect on the formation of collaborative ties; for the latter, collaborative ties are more likely to be established between herders with similar numbers of livestock. (4) Affective network has an entraining effect on the establishment of collaborative network, suggesting that collaborative ties are more likely to be established between herders with kinship or close blood ties. (5) Among the ecological fit effects, only sharing fit has a significant effect on the formation of collaborative network. [Conclusion] There is still much room for improvement in the collaborative governance of rangeland resources for herders. It is desirable to promote the establishment of collaboration among herders with similar capabilities and resources while letting self-organization and affective dependence play a role, and to make full use of the path of resource sharing to cultivate and develop collaborative governance. In addition, awareness and understanding of the ecological changes in grasslands and ecological linkages of pastures should be strengthened, and herders should be guided and encouraged to collaborate in solving the problem related to scale fit, in order to help herders break through path dependence and enhance the pathways and effectiveness of collaborative governance.

[Objective] Climate warming has a significant impact on crop cultivation pattern. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between climate warming and crop cultivation pattern, and to clarify the degree of contribution of different influencing factors to crop growth, so as to provide reference for regional cultivation structure adjustment and layout optimization. [Methods] Based on the 2000, 2010, and 2020 crop classification data, this study analyzed the trend of changes in maize and soybean cultivation scale and pattern under climate warming using the GIS grids and geo-information maps. The maximum entropy model was employed to reveal the main factors driving the change in the spatiotemporal crop planting patterns. [Results] (1) In terms of scale, the change in the planting area indicated an increase in maize planting area; conversely, the soybean planting area decreased. Heilongjiang Province, the largest increase in maize planting area of 69.01%, Jilin Province, the largest decrease in soybean planting area of 68.21%. (2) The transitional zone for maize and soybean cultivation in the Northeast region shifted noticeably northward between 2000 and 2020. Among them, the transition zone for maize and soybean cultivation moved northward by about 129.10 km in Songnen Plain from 2000 to 2010, and moved northward by about 283.80 km in Sanjiang Plain from 2010 to 2020. (3) The dominant bioclimatic factors influencing changes in the suitability of maize planting and the movement of planting areas in the Northeast were the average temperature of the hottest season and the average temperature of the driest season, respectively. The northern boundary of the maize and soybean planting transitional zone is mainly located within the ≥10 ℃ active cumulative temperature range of 2900-3100 ℃, and as this cumulative temperature zone continues to move northward, the planting transitional zone moves along with it. [Conclusion] The planting structure and layout of maize and soybean in Northeast China from 2000 to 2020 were significantly changed by temperature. In the future, more attention needs to be paid to the impact of climate change on crop cultivation in order to promote the sustained and healthy development of agricultural production and ensure the long-term stability of food security.

[Objective] Oil is the most critical energy resource, providing essential support for advancing Chinese-style modernization. Research on the dynamic change of the international oil trade network and its driving factors is of significant strategic importance for enhancing the resilience and security of the oil supply chain. [Methods] Based on the global oil trade data from 1992 to 2023, this study employed complex network analysis techniques and the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) analysis method to explore the dynamic change of the topological structure, connectivity, centrality, and geographical distribution characteristics of trade groups in the global oil trade network. The driving factors of international oil trade were analyzed from economic, demographic, technological, geopolitical risk, and geographical distance perspectives. [Results] The international oil market has undergone rapid growth, volatile adjustments, and stabilization at a relatively high level. The network density of the oil trade network remained relatively stable, while the edge-node ratio showed a gradual increasing trend, indicating enhanced connectivity in the global oil market. Simultaneously, the international oil trade exhibited a trend of multipolarization. The oil trade groups have evolved from an initial three-group structure to a four-group structure, with emerging economies playing a more critical role in global oil trade. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly impacted the change of oil trade groups. Economic scale, population size, and trade agreements positively drove the change of the oil trade network, while technological advancements and geographical distance had a negative impact. Geopolitical risks, due to oil stockpiling and rising prices, positively influenced the oil trade network. [Conclusion] In response to the rapid change of the global oil market and potential future risks and challenges, countries should enhance their oil reserves to mitigate market uncertainties and “black swan” events; promote diversified trade cooperation to reduce reliance on single supply sources; advance technological innovation, develop clean energy, and optimize energy structures; and strengthen international cooperation to alleviate geopolitical risks and ensure the stability of oil supplies.

[Objective] Based on the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study aimed to assess the resilience of the social-ecological system and explore the strategies to enhance the resilience of the social-ecosystem system in energy-rich areas, in order to promote sustainable transformation and high-quality development in these areas. [Methods] This study constructed a social-ecological system resilience assessment matrix applicable to energy-rich areas based on the resilience theory, and examined the change of social-ecological system resilience and optimization and enhancement strategies in the Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia energy-rich area from 2005 to 2020. [Results] The results show that: (1) From 2005 to 2020, the overall resilience of the social-ecological system in Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia energy-rich area showed an upward trend. The resilience of the socioeconomic system showed a trend of decreasing first then rising, the resilience of the natural resources system showed a trend of increasing then decreasing, while the resilience of the ecological environment showed an increasing trend year by year. (2) The resilience of the social-ecological system exhibited phased characteristics under the influence of subsystem resilience in the study area. In the preparation and recovery stage, the improvement of social-ecological system resilience mainly benefited from the improvement of the ecological environment; In the coping and adaptation stage, the contribution of socioeconomic development to the resilience of regional social-ecological system was prominent. (3) The resilience pattern of the social-ecological system in the Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia energy-rich area has undergone significant changes, with a significant increase in cities with higher resilience. The socioeconomic resilience showed a pattern of high in the northwest and low in the southeast. The resilience of natural resources exhibited spatial characteristics of low in the northwest and high in the southeast. The ecological environment resilience showed a spatial pattern of high in the north and low in the south. (4) The lack of natural resources subsystem resilience was the key factor that restricted the improvement of resilience of the social-ecological system in the study area. [Conclusion] It is necessary to establish a collaborative governance mechanism of “stages + factors + systems + areas” in line with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to continuously improve the resilience of the social-ecological system in the energy-rich area through various paths, such as accelerating the transformation and upgrading of resource-based economy, improving the efficiency of energy and resource utilization, improving the livelihood support system, and promoting ecological environment protection and restoration.

The integration of culture and tourism is an important part of Chinese modernization, and new quality productive forces are the core power to stimulate the vitality of factors of production and promote the integration and innovation of culture and tourism industry. Under the background of rural revitalization strategy, the empowerment of integration of culture and tourism through new quality productive forces has become a significant practical demand and scientific issue to accelerate the construction of a strong tourism country and promote the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. Based on the multiple perspectives of regional economy, rural geography, tourism geography and digital economy, this paper discussed the theoretical logic, scientific problems, practical challenges, practical paths and future trends of the integration of culture and tourism enabled by new quality productive forces from the perspective of rural revitalization. The following are the summary of the key findings: (1) New quality productive forces are the strategic support to promote the deep integration of culture and tourism and the comprehensive rural revitalization. Meanwhile, this process faces theoretical dilemmas and practical challenges. (2) New quality productive forces are the driving force for reshaping the concept of cultural and tourism resources and empowering heritage protection and inheritance. (3) Digital village construction serves as an important support for new quality productive forces to empower the deep integration and development of culture and tourism. (4) Professional talent cultivation is the fundamental guarantee for new quality productive forces to empower the deep integration and development of culture and tourism. In the future, special attention should be paid to cultural and tourism professionals, digital technology experts, and residents. (5) Technological innovation and policy support are the key supports for new quality productive forces to empower the deep integration and development of cultural and tourism industries. This study not only deepens the theoretical interpretation of issues related to the deep integration of culture and tourism empowered by new quality productive forces, but also provides decision-making references for relevant policy makers to formulate industrial policies and development strategies.

[Objective] Public data access is a crucial measure to unlock the value of digital resources, offering resource-based cities new opportunities to accelerate their transformation. Unveiling its impact on transformation efficiency and the underlying mechanisms provides a scientific basis for promoting the high-quality development of resource-based cities from the perspective of new quality productive forces. [Methods] This study treated the construction of data access platforms by local governments as a quasi-natural experiment, and used panel data from 114 resource-based cities in China from 2006 to 2021. A non-radial directional distance function was employed to measure transformation efficiency, considering the scenario where capital, labor, land, technology, and energy inputs are variable, as well as an alternative scenario where only energy input is variable. A multi-period difference-in-differences model was used to examine the effects and mechanisms of public data access on the transformation of resource-based cities from the perspective of new quality productive forces to ensure the accuracy of the results. [Results] (1) The study found that public data access resulted in an average improvement of 5.1% in the transformation efficiency of resource-based cities with all five inputs variable, and a 5.8% improvement under the alternative scenario, thereby significantly expediting the transformation of these cities. This conclusion remained valid after endogeneity treatment and robustness tests. (2) Mechanism analysis revealed that public data access facilitated the transformation of resource-based cities through three channels: green technology innovation, enhanced synergistic agglomeration of manufacturing and productive services, and the perfection of digital financial services. (3) Heterogeneity analysis indicated that the public data access had a more pronounced effect on the improvement of transformation efficiency in resource-based cities located in the central region, in the regeneration stage, and belonging to the old industrial base. [Conclusion] The key role of data access in introducing data elements into the transformation of resource-based cities should be emphasized. Actively leveraging the important role of data platforms in technological innovation, industrial development, and financial services provision could help resource-based cities develop new quality productive forces and transform towards high-quality development.

[Objective] The green credit policy aims to promote sustainable and high-quality development of enterprises. But there is still a gap in academic attention to the effects of new quality productive forces for resource-based enterprises in policy implementation, especially the systematic effects of financing constraints, technological changes, and green transformation awareness on resource-based enterprises, which need to be further explored. [Methods] Based on the quasi natural experiment implemented by the original China Banking Regulatory Commission’s Green Credit Guidelines (2012), relevant data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2022 were selected, and the difference-in-differences (DID) method was used to empirically test the systematic effect of the green credit policy on the formation of new quality productive forces in resource-based enterprises. [Results] This study found that the green credit policy effectively synergized the functions of environmental regulation and financial resource allocation, and significantly assisted resource-based enterprises in forming new quality productive forces by alleviating financing constraints, driving technological change, and enhancing awareness of green transformation. Heterogeneity tests indicated that the promotion effect of the green credit policy on the new quality productive forces of resource-based enterprises was stronger in areas with lower marketization than in areas with higher marketization, and stronger in non-state-owned enterprises than in state-owned enterprises. The effect was also stronger in enterprises in the decline period, weaker in enterprises in the growth period, and the weakest in enterprises in the maturity period. [Conclusion] The green credit policy can significantly promote the development of new quality productive forces in resource-based enterprises. Therefore, it is necessary to fully leverage the guiding function of the policy, actively promote its improvement and innovation, and vigorously optimize the basic conditions of the policy to accelerate the formation of new quality productive forces in resource-based enterprises.

[Objective] The resilience of urban network structures is a crucial guarantee for the recovery and stability of urban spatial organization. Current research predominantly employs individual flows and focuses on developed regions, and there is relatively little research that combines multidimensional factor flows while also focusing on the resilience of network structures in underdeveloped regions. Therefore, this study took the underdeveloped Northwest China as the research object and explored its network structural resilience based on multidimensional factor flow, in order to fill the gap of related research and enrich the empirical analysis of network resilience from the perspective of multidimensional factor flow. [Methods] This study focused on 51 prefecture-level administrative units in Northwest China for the year 2022. It investigated the structural characteristics of urban networks from three perspectives: economic, transportation, and information, quantitatively measured their hierarchy, matching, transmission, and agglomeration, and examined the structural resilience of Northwest China’s urban networks under various disruption scenarios by using the method of computer simulation and proposed optimization strategies from different perspectives. [Results] (1) The economic, transportation, and information networks across the 51 prefecture-level administrative units in Northwest China are generally distributed in a pattern of dense in the east and sparse in the west, showing core-periphery characteristics, but there are significant differences in the structure of the three types of networks. The economic network density is low and the stickiness between the core nodes is large, showing the characteristics of coexistence of “strong assisting weak” and “strong alliances”, with multi-group pattern and fragmented development trend. The traffic network is more closely linked, with stronger inertia in intercity links, showing a “small world” effect, a spindle-shaped pattern, and a turbulent development trend. The information network has wide coverage and strong permeability, showing coordinated characteristics, a strip-like pattern, and a turbulent development trend. (2) The three types of networks differ greatly in terms of hierarchy and matching, and less in terms of transmission and agglomeration. The Matthew effect of the economic network is obvious, characterized by strong homophily at the core and weak heterophily at the periphery; the traffic network tends to experience three-dimensional development, showing local robustness and regional vulnerability; and the information network has highly heterogeneous resilience, showing the characteristics of flattened network structure and diversified connection paths, with a high level of resilience. (3) Deliberate attacks are significantly more damaging to network resilience than random attacks, and a hit on a core node has a greater impact on network operational efficiency than on a vulnerable node. [Conclusion] The problem of uneven regional development is particularly obvious in less developed regions, where the core city has concentrated power but a shorter radius of radiation, and cities on the periphery are not sufficiently motivated to develop. There are both similarities and differences in resilience characteristics between the three types of networks, and network resilience under different attack modes is characterized by phased changes. In order to promote the sustainable development of the region, response policies should be formulated according to regional characteristics.

[Objective]Identifying the core and peripheral areas of a metropolitan region is crucial for analyzing its development issues. Characterizing the core-periphery spatial structure of a metro‐ politan region by coupling the spatial environment and human social activities is of great signifi‐ cance for optimizing the spatial resource allocation of the metropolitan region. [Methods] Focusing on the Guangzhou Metropolitan Region and Shenzhen Metropolitan Region, this study uses multi-source data (land-use data, remote sensing images) and methods like the coupling coordination degree model to identify primary and secondary core area and classify the latter. [Results] (1) From 2010 to 2020, high-quality coordinated areas in both regions increased rapidly, clustering in city centers with well-coordinated areas expanding from center to periphery.(2) The Guangzhou Metropolitan Region’s core area expanded mainly through near-boundary filling, maintaining a relatively stable spatial pattern. In contrast, Shenzhen’s core area expanded corridor-like towards the northeast of Shenzhen City and central-eastern Dongguan City, forming a strip-continuous spatial form. (3) Peripheral areas were classified into four types: suburban residential, industrial and logistics park, agricultural and ecological protection, emerging development, transitional mixed. In Guangzhou, the northeastern side of the primary core area was mostly agricultural/ecological, while the southwestern side was transitional mixed. Shenzhen’s peripheral areas are complex, primarily distributed in Huizhou City. [Conclusion] Core and peripheral areas’ spatial forms differ significantly. Strengthening core-periphery connections, optimizing peripheral area positioning and labor division, and implementing differentiated strategies are effective ways to promote coordinated development.

[Objective] The intensification of global change and human activities have increasingly exposed the complexity and vulnerability of grassland social-ecological systems (SES). Systematically analyzing the coupling and feedback mechanisms, driving mechanisms, and management strategies of grassland SES is crucial for enhancing its resilience and achieving synergies between socioeconomic and ecological benefits. [Methods] This article reviewed the current research theories, components, coupling and feedback mechanisms, driving mechanisms, and conservation management of grassland SES. [Results] The theories of grassland SES is evolving from single-discipline ecological research to complex interdisciplinary studies; soil, water, vegetation, livestock, and herders are the primary components of grassland SES; the research on coupling mechanism and feedback mechanism of grassland SES has evolved in terms of subjects, methods, and perspectives; human activities and climate change are the main drivers of grassland SES change; ecological restoration and rehabilitation, the establishment of protected areas, and enclosure for grazing prohibition are the primary measures for the conservation management of grassland SES. Innovation of socioeconomic systems plays a key role in grassland restoration. [Conclusion] In the context of increasingly complex human-environment relationships and global change uncertainties, future research should develop cross-scale and cross-regional comprehensive research theories; external policies should be incorporated into the components of grassland SES to better understand dynamic mechanisms; and future studies should also deepen the analysis of multi-factor interactions and policy applicability, optimizing management strategies to ensure the coordinated development of ecological, economic, and social benefits in pastoral regions.

[Objective] The development of resource-based cities is trapped in a dilemma due to a singular industrial structure and a closed development model. Exploring the mechanism of impact of network externalities on the economic performance of these cities is of great significance for promoting their economic growth and sustainable development. [Methods] This study first elaborated on the mechanism of impact of urban network externalities on the economic performance of resource-based cities, then analyzed the characteristics of change of the Chinese urban network from 2001 to 2019, and finally established an econometric model to test the impact of agglomeration economic externalities and urban network externalities on the economic performance of both resource-based and non-resource-based cities. [Results] The findings are as follows: (1) The network embeddedness of resource-based cities in the national organizational network had increased significantly, but there was still a considerable gap compared to non-resource-based cities. Resource-based cities had relatively fewer connections with core cities in the network and were generally located on the periphery of the urban network. (2) Investment, innovation, and urban network externalities significantly promoted economic growth. Particularly in the early stages of network embeddedness, resource-based cities showed greater heterogeneity and benefit potential in leveraging urban network externalities compared to non-resource-based cities. However, agglomeration economic externalities did not have a significant impact on the economic growth of resource-based cities. (3) Innovation and investment had a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between urban network externalities and economic growth, and urban network externalities also significantly enhanced the positive impact of innovation and investment on economic growth, aligning with the principle of interaction symmetry. [Conclusion] Actively integrating into broader regional urban networks and enhancing the investment attractiveness and innovation capacity of resource-based cities are key strategies for promoting the transformation and economic growth of these cities.

[Objective] To scientifically assess the level of transition from old to new economic drivers (TONED) in resource-based cities, it is essential to analyze the spatial evolution of the TONED and its underlying mechanisms. These would provide both theoretical and practical foundations for the green transition of resource-based cities. [Methods] This study comprehensively applied geospatial analysis techniques and Markov chains to study the spatial evolution characteristics of the TONED in 109 resource-based cities in China from 2011 to 2021, and analyzed the mechanism of influence of the TONED in terms of internal factors and external factors by applying obstacle models, optimal parameter geodetectors, and spatiotemporal geographically-weighted regression methods. [Results] First, the average index of the TONED in resource-based cities increased from 0.115 to 0.153, indicating a positive trend. Spatially, the TONED showed a pattern of high in coastal regions and low inland, with a reduction in spatial clustering effects. Second, neighboring areas played a significant role in the TONED, with observable path dependence. Third, internally, the primary barrier to the TONED was the changes in development methods. Key obstacles to the TONED include capital productivity, percentage of utilized foreign capital, labor productivity, and number of invention patents. Externally, factors such as city size, topography, temperature, and industrial scale played a dominant role in influencing the TONED, and had spatial differentiation characteristics. The interaction between factors exhibited characteristics of nonlinear enhancement and dual-factor reinforcement. Finally, heterogeneity analysis indicated that the percentage of utilized foreign capital was a major barrier to the TONED in growing and regenerative resource-based cities, while capital productivity hindered the TONED in mature and declining cities. City size primarily drove the TONED in mature and growing cities, temperature in declining cities, and topography in regenerative cities. [Conclusion] The TONED in resource-based cities exhibited significant regional disparities and spatial clustering effects, influenced by a combination of internal and external factors. Therefore, resource-based cities should balance differentiated construction and integrated development, focus on green transition, and fully leverage the leading role of new economic factors.

[Objective] Breaking down the barriers to the free and bidirectional flow of urban-rural development factors is an important prerequisite for promoting integrated urban-rural development, and enhancing the flow of urban-rural factors contributes to achieving coordinated and balanced development between urban and rural areas. [Methods] This paper explores the intrinsic mechanism of urban-rural integrated development from the perspective of factor flow, discusses the connotation of urban-rural integrated development from the multi-dimensional coupling relationship of “economy-society-ecology”, and analyzes the driving mechanism of urban-rural integrated development in Jiangxi Province based on the spatio-temporal geographical weighted regression of the flow of “population-land-capital” factors between urban and rural areas. [Results] (1) The overall urban-rural integrated development level in Jiangxi Province exhibited an upward trend from 2000 to 2020, transitioning from relying on urban-rural ecological space development to achieving balance in economy, society, and ecology. (2) The urban-rural integrated development level in Jiangxi Province displayed significant geographical differences, with the economic integration level in northern Jiangxi surpassing central Jiangxi and southern Jiangxi; the social integration level in northern Jiangxi exceeding southern Jiangxi and central Jiangxi; and the ecological integration level in southern Jiangxi surpassing central Jiangxi and northern Jiangxi. (3) The flow of population factor, land factor, and capital factor all exhibited significant positive effects on urban-rural integrated development in Jiangxi Province, with population factor flow having the greatest driving effect. (4) Urban-rural factor flow can continuously optimize the urban-rural relationship, generating diffusion effects and spatial spillover effects, fostering the ongoing reconstruction and integration of urban and rural spaces in Jiangxi Province. [Conclusion] There are historical contradictions and hidden lags in the flow of urban and rural factors driven by multiple factors, which can be promoted through the joint guidance of the government, market, grassroots, society and other forces to promote the free bidirectional flow of urban-rural development factors.

[Objective] The ultra-high voltage (UHV) “new infrastructure development” optimizes the power structure and rational allocation of power resources in China, and injects sustainable impetus into the green transformation of the economy. This study aimed to explore the green development effect brought by UHV projects, and provide a theoretical basis and policy suggestions for promoting the optimization of energy consumption structure and helping to build a new energy system. [Methods] Based on the panel data of 278 prefecture-level cities in China from 2003 to 2019, this study used the difference-in-differences model to investigate the effect and mechanism of trans-regional electric power transmission on urban economic development and pollution reduction. [Results] (1) Ultra-high voltage projects significantly promoted regional economic development and reduced pollution emissions. (2) Mechanism test showed that UHV projects can achieve economic development and pollution reduction by improving regional innovation levels, optimizing industrial structure, and generating substitution effects on coal and thermal power. (3) Heterogeneity analyses showed that UHV projects had positive effects on economic development and pollution reduction in the eastern region and the power input region, but only produced emission reduction benefits in the central and western regions and the power output regions. Compared with thermal power transmission, UHV projects are more conducive to promoting economic development and pollution reduction for clean energy transmission. Ultra-high voltage DC projects had a stronger role in promoting economic development and pollution reduction than UHV AC projects. (4) Spatial spillover effect analysis showed that UHV transmission can promote the economic development of neighboring cities and reduce pollution emissions. [Conclusion] Therefore, the development of UHV transmission technology, regional energy resource endowment, and economic and social development should be comprehensively considered to continuously promote the construction of UHV projects. At the same time, China should strengthen the construction of regional power grids and enhance the use value of green energy.

[Objective] Smart cities apply the next generation information technology to resource and environmental management to promote sustainable urban development. Existing studies focus on the local environmental governance effects of smart cities, but ignore their possible impacts on the environmental pollution of neighboring areas and differential spillover effects on neighboring smart cities and non-smart cities. [Methods] Based on the panel data of 217 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2020, the smart city pilot was taken as a quasi-natural experiment, and the local area-neighboring area pollution effect of smart city construction was evaluated by using the spatial Dubin differential model. [Results] The study found that: (1) Smart city policies had significant positive spillover effects on neighboring area pollution emissions under the four spatial matrices, and the results are still valid after the robustness test of data winsorization, falsification test, exclusion of other policy effects, and endogeneity test. (2) The analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamic effect of policies showed that the spillover effects of smart cities on pollution had a time lag, while the spatial distance followed the attenuation law of geographical distance. (3) The mechanism study showed that the construction of smart cities had a regional innovation effect, which reduced its pollution through knowledge spillover, but led to the transfer of traditional heavy industry and heavy polluting industries to neighboring non-smart cities and increased their pollution. [Conclusion] Although smart city policies optimize the local environment, they produce a “beggar-thy-neighbor” environmental pollution phenomenon, especially that mainly neighboring non-smart cities bear the pollution transfer. The government should emphasize the concept of collaborative governance in smart city policies and strengthen the awareness of regional joint prevention and control between local governments in neighboring areas, especially between smart cities and neighboring non-smart cities.

[Objective] Data factor has introduced new impetus for China’s high-quality development. Investigating the impact of data factor on the low-carbon development of resource-based cities and its mechanisms can offer fresh insights for the sustainable growth of these cities. [Methods] From the perspective of new quality productive forces (NQPF), this study examined how data factor influenced the low-carbon development of resource-based cities. Using the quasi-natural experiment created by the launch of provincial public data access platforms across various provinces in China, and drawing on a panel dataset of 1014 county-level resource-based cities from 2011 to 2019, a difference-in-differences model was employed to empirically test the relationship between data factor and the low-carbon development of these cities. [Results] (1) The data factor released through provincial public data access platforms significantly reduced carbon emissions of resource-based cities. Compared with other resource-based cities, the carbon emission intensity of resource-based cities affected by this policy was about 18.1% lower. (2) In terms of mechanisms, the data factor released by public data access platforms reduced carbon emission intensity of resource-based cities through two important mechanisms: enhancing green NQPF and digital NQPF of resource-based cities. (3) From a heterogeneity perspective, the data factor released by public data access platforms were broadly inclusive, benefiting different types of resource-based cities. However, the magnitude of the impact varied depending on factors such as the city’s development stage, primary resource type, and geographical location. [Conclusion] The public data access platforms release a wealth of data factor, which aids resource-based cities in developing NQPF and consequently reducing carbon emissions. Resource-based cities should seize the opportunities presented by the continuous integration of data factor into traditional production functions to foster NQPF and achieve low-carbon development.

Offshore renewable energy boasts abundant potential and exhibits characteristics of synergistic development. However, it also faces challenges such as complex environmental conditions, low reliability, and spatial competition. Moreover, its interdisciplinary theoretical foundations have not yet been fully understood, and a systematic understanding of sustainable development pathways is lacking. From the perspective of energy geography, a research framework encompassing five dimensions—potential, technology, industry, space, and governance is developed. Through multidimensional integration and cross-domain analysis, the study systematically reviews the research progress in the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy, including potential assessment, technological development, industrial synergy, spatial evaluation, and impact governance. The review indicates that: (1) Offshore renewable energy is still in its early stage, characterized by “diverse energy types with great potential but technological imbalance, and abundant application scenarios but insufficient integration”. Specifically, offshore wind power technology is mature and dominates development. Energy industry development approaches are diverse with various integration scenarios, while single-mode development still prevails in the short term. Development and utilization offer significant environmental benefits, but may lead to risk transfer. (2) Scientific research, technological development, and industrial integration practices lag far behind the actual needs of offshore resources development and utilization. This is manifested in large discrepancies in assessment results due to different evaluation scales for energy potential, and inconsistent evaluation criteria within the same scale. Immature technological development and poor economic viability of industrial integration hinder efficient development and utilization of marine resources. Spatial assessments focus primarily on planar site selection and optimization, with limited research on three-dimensional marine utilization and the integration of energy and industrial production. The ecological impact mechanisms of development and utilization remain unclear. (3) To promote coordinated development across the five dimensions, offshore renewable energy development should focus on unifying potential assessment standards, enhancing techno-economic efficiency, promoting industrial integration, optimizing spatial utilization, and improving the governance framework. These efforts will support the efficient use of marine resources and the high-quality development of the marine economy. This review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and advancing offshore renewable energy development, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

[Objective] To facilitate the achievement of China’s dual carbon goals and advance energy transitions tailored to local conditions across provinces, it is crucial to clarify the spatial differentiation patterns of energy transitions at the provincial level in China and identify the endogenous driving factors and their varying effects. [Methods] This study investigated 30 Chinese provinces, employing the proportion of clean energy in regional energy consumption as a metric. A multi-level analytical framework rooted in the sociotechnical systems perspective was constructed. The centroid model, ordinary least squares (OLS) method, and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) method were used to analyze the status and driving factors of China’s energy transition from 2000 to 2020. [Results] (1) Although the provinces exhibited differentiated progress in energy transitions, the regional disparities were gradually narrowing over time. (2) In terms of driving factors of regional energy transition,s resource endowments have been the core and dominant factor, particularly the underpinning role of hydropower resources and the locking-in and assurance role of fossil fuel endowments. However, regional carbon emission reduction pressures and innovation investments have become important driving forces for regional energy transition in the new period. (3) The driving factors and their effects on energy transitions in these provinces were characterized by significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Prior to 2012, clean energy production capacity and electricity imports from outside the region dominated almost all provinces. Post-2012, the influence of electricity imports weakened, while technological advancements gained greater influence. Spatially, resource endowments had a more significant impact on northern China, while economic development levels exerted a stronger influence on energy transitions in northwestern China. [Conclusion] As China’s energy transition accelerates, regional disparities are diminishing. This study recommends the construction of an integrated clean energy supply system of wind, light, water, and nuclear energy storage and transmission, supported by coal power; increasing technological investments to promote the efficient use of clean energy; and improving cross-regional energy allocation, thereby driving the transformation of energy structures and sustainable development.

[Objective] The development level of the digital economy is an important manifestation of regional high-quality development. Exploring the development pattern of provincial digital economy is conducive to improving the core competitiveness of regional high-quality development. [Methods] Based on the impact of the new development concept on the high-quality development of the digital economy, this study constructed a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for the high-quality development of the digital economy at the provincial level, took Jiangsu Province as an example to reveal the spatial pattern of the high-quality development of the digital economy, and conducted spatial correlation analysis through the Moran’s I. The dynamic mechanism was explored by using Geodetector. [Results] (1) In terms of spatial differentiation characteristics, the innovative development, coordinated development, green development, open development, and shared development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province showed the distribution characteristics of dual-core multi-points longitudinal two zones, dual-core multi-points latitudinal two zones, dual-core two belts and one zone, dual-core three circles, and dual-core two zones, respectively. Its comprehensive characteristics are reflected in the distribution of dual-core, multi-points, two belts, and three areas; (2) The spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the spatial pattern of high-quality digital economy development in Jiangsu Province showed obvious agglomeration characteristics as a whole, especially in the three metropolitan regions of Jiangsu Province—the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou metropolitan region was the most significant, followed by the Nanjing metropolitan region, and the Xuzhou metropolitan region was relatively weak; (3) The driving mechanism was as follows: economic scale factor, social factor, and consumption factor had the strongest impact on the high-quality development of the digital economy in the province, followed by economic structure factor and location factor. Economic scale factor was obviously stronger than economic structure factor. Compared with the provincial capital Nanjing, Shanghai, the central city of the Yangtze River Delta region, had a more obvious impact on the high-quality development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province. [Conclusion] The high-quality development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province already has advantages, but the development pattern still needs to be optimized, and the driving mechanism is not efficient enough. In order to further improve the high-quality development level of the digital economy in the province, relevant development policies should be formulated according to the development characteristics and problems.

[Objective] The construction of the human settlement environment holds great significance for the high-quality development of cities in the Yellow River Basin. The human settlements of different types of resource-based cities are heterogeneous. Exploring the change of the human settlement resilience level and obstacle degree of these cities is conducive to providing targeted policies for the construction of human settlements in different types of cities. [Methods] This study developed a comprehensive evaluation indicator system of human settlement resilience of resource-based cities in the Yellow River Basin based on the human-natural-living space-social-support subsystems, and used HP filter analysis, three-dimensional kernel density estimation, hotspot analysis, and the obstacle degree model to examine the spatiotemporal change characteristics of the human settlements from 2007 to 2021. A scientific diagnosis was conducted to identify the obstructive factors that influenced the resilience of human settlements. [Results] (1) From the perspective of temporal evolution characteristics, the human settlement resilience of resource-based cities in the Yellow River Basin showed a fluctuating and increasing trend, and had gone through three stages of low-level stagnation, gradual improvement, and sudden increase with fluctuation. The rising resilience of human settlements in different types of resource-based cities was obvious, among which the resilience of mature-type and regen‐eration-type cities was significantly higher than that of growth-type and decline-type cities. The growth-type, mature-type, and regeneration-type cities all showed an agglomeration of high resilience cities, while the decline-type cities with high resilience level tended to be dispersed. (2) From the perspective of spatial evolution, the resilience level of urban human settlements presents a spatial pattern of “periphery is higher than center, downstream is higher than upstream. The spatial agglomeration changes are relatively stable, forming the characteristics of spatial agglomeration of hot spots in the periphery of the Yellow River Basin. (3) From the criterion level, the variation of obstacle degree of each subsystem was relatively stable, and the total size was as follows: supporting system resilience > natural system resilience > social system resilience > human system resilience > living space resilience. The key impediments at the factor level were water resources per unit area, the amount of R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP, and the comprehensive pollutant index. The primary obstacles to human settlement resilience in various types of resource-based cities were spatially heterogeneous. [Conclusion] The resilience of human settlements in resource-based cities within the Yellow River Basin was increasing, with significant spatial and regional variations. In the future, it is urgent to optimize the resilience of human settlements from the aspects of water resources, regional innovation, and environmental pollution.

[Objective] Understanding the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions is fundamental for promoting their development and formulating spatial planning strategies. This study aimed to shed light on the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions and explore the underlay mechanism by focusing on intercity functional linkages of human element flows. [Methods] Based on the “space of flow” represented by intercity functional linkages of human element flows, a theoretical framework of analysis was developed to analyze the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions and mechanism. Using the Shanghai Metropolitan Region as a case study, this study employed spatiotemporal big data and traffic isochrons to identify the spatial and temporal characteristics associated with the destinations of intercity functional linkages driven by human element flows. [Results] (1) Metropolitan regions are functional regions shaped by the intercity functional linkages. These linkages dominate the spatial organization of metropolitan regions. (2) The intercity functional linkages of human element flows are spatially associated with the unique urban functions of core cities, while its temporal constraints require support from intercity rapid transportation systems. (3) Under the dominance of intercity functional linkages, the spatial organization of metropolitan regions manifests as “circles + chains”, resulting from the spatial-temporal compression and pipeline effects of the rapid transportation system, as well as the spatiotemporal characteristics of intercity functional linkages. [Conclusion] The “circles + chains” spatial organization form emerged from the reshaping of metropolitan region spatial organization by the “space of flow” represented by intercity functional linkages. Therefore, the spatial planning strategies of the metropolitan region should construct a system of the “space of flow” for supporting intercity functional linkages.

The needs of national strategies, the dilemmas of urban-rural development and the shortcomings in disciplinary development put urgent requirement for the establishment of land system science. On the basis of clarifying the connotation and characteristics of land system science, this article analyzes the development history and constructs the theoretical and technological system, research paradigm and discourse system of land system science. As the interface between human society and the natural environmental system and the site of sustainable land use transitions, the land system is a complex mega-system characterized by spatio-temporal heterogeneity, sensitivity in scales, and the systematic feedback effects. Land system science is committed to a profound understanding of the human-environment interactions occurring on land, focusing on cross-temporal and spatial spillover effects and non-linear transformations of the land system, ultimately serving the formulation of sustainable land use solutions. The “human-land-right” trinity theoretical system of land system science involves four modules, including the domains of land resources, ownership, space and function, with land use as the key process and land ownership as the bond. The research paradigm of land system science has gradually transformed from knowledge and phenomenon description to the simulation and prediction of complex land systems, which emphasizes the integration of multidisciplinary theories and methods as well as understanding the local-distant coupled interactions of land systems based on the integrated multiscale analysis of expanding boundaries, and focuses on the construction of large-scale quantitative land system models to provide comprehensive and dynamic integrated analysis, prediction and simulation of its dynamic mechanisms, integrated effects and future scenarios and risks, and appeals for an opening scientific collaboration in the era of big data.

Under the current global political economic environment with multiple uncertainties, the issues of economic recession, social unrest, and political discontent in special-type regions (such as ethnic minority areas, resource cities, old industrial zones, and border areas) are particularly prominent. How to revive the economy and how to forge new industrial paths have become focal points of policy support and academic research in these places. This study started from the perspective and dynamics of economic geography research, and reviewed the literature on the development of new industrial paths in special regions in China and internationally. The study showed that: (1) The regional structural approach under evolutionary economic geography is insufficient for fully explaining the mechanisms by which new industries are shaped, and there has been a “turn” towards agency and subjectivity. But this turn tends to treat regional structure as a kind of “static” prerequisite, neglecting its own multi-scalar nature, spatial differences, and systemic logic of cause and effect. (2) A consensus has gradually emerged in the academic community that the impact of structure on agency, and vice versa, varies according to different contexts and gives rise to different outcomes. However, there has been a lack of empirical exploration and theoretical construction on this issue. (3) In the process of shaping new industries, the interplay between structure and agency assumes complex characteristics in different contexts. How to identify the patterns of interaction between structure and agency in various geographical contexts, understand the path emergence and effects of different combinations on regional economies, is the key to studying this topic. On this basis, the article proposed relevant issues for future research on the process and mechanisms of new industrial path development in China’s special-type regions, aiming to expand the empirical scope and theoretical progress of current regional industrial dynamic studies.

[Objective] Offshore renewable energy plays a crucial role in addressing global climate change. However, the limitations of the current single utilization mode in marine energy development have become apparent. As a major nation in offshore renewable energy, China needs to develop solutions for both domestic and global energy challenges. [Methods] Through a combination of literature review and case studies, this research systematically analyzes the bottlenecks and practical challenges in the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy. It summarizes integrated utilization modes and their respective advantages for offshore renewable energy. Based on the development requirements of marine new-quality productivity, it proposes trends and strategies for the integrated development and utilization of offshore renewable energy in China. [Results] (1) The current single mode for the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy fails to effectively contribute to climate goals through the ocean. (2) Key practical challenges in offshore renewable energy development include large sea area occupation, low space utilization, and insufficient industrial coordination. (3) The theoretical framework of marine new-quality productivity can better identify four major trends in the transformation of offshore renewable energy development and utilization modes: energy-energy coupling, energy-production coupling, chain coupling, and multiple coupling. These four integrated modes practically facilitate the further development of new-quality productivity. (4) Based on existing cases and data, it is roughly estimated that the integrated development and utilization modes of offshore renewable energy can achieve spatial compatibility and industrial complementarity, demonstrating strong comprehensive benefits and commercial prospects. [Conclusion] The development and utilization of offshore renewable energy in China has reached a critical transformation stage. The integration of offshore renewable energy with various marine production activities and the expansion of application scenarios should be prioritized. Qualified coastal areas should clarify the concept of integrated development and strengthen policy support and guidance. Taking energy and industrial synergy as breakthrough points, China will pioneer the establishment of globally influential new modes and industrial systems for offshore renewable energy development and utilization, providing strong support for building a thriving marine economy and a leading maritime nation.

The identification and management of production-living-ecological space (PLES) is the core essence of territorial spatial planning and governance in the new era, and a key initiative to achieve regional sustainable development. Currently, research in this field faces practical dilemmas such as the discrepancy between the attribute cognition of PLES and its theoretical construction, the disconnection between the abstract identification of PLES and the refinement of its implementation, and the mismatch between the rigid management of PLES and the dynamic land functions. Land system science can provide a beneficial perspective for conducting research on the detailed identification and dynamic management of PLES. Accordingly, this paper systematically reviews the ideological origin of land system science, elaborates the internal differences and operational structure of the land system, and clarifies the theoretical description and quantitative expression of the land system states. Based on ontological consistency, goal alignment, process relevance, and effect reciprocity, this paper summarizes, this paper summarizes the multi-dimensional interconnected relationship between land system science and the identification and management of PLES, attempts to construct a logical mechanism centered on the land system states between them, sequentially proposes the key solution paths for land system science to support the identification and management of PLES in terms of theoretical foundation, technical channels and practical vision. In the future, it is necessary to conduct typical case practices based on the existing theoretical system to expand the application boundaries of land system science and provide technical methods to solve the problem of PLES coordination in the whole domain.

[Objective] Mining and urbanization have transformed the ecological and socioeconomic aspects of coal resource-based cities. This study aimed to measure the spatial characteristics of ecosystem services supply and demand matching in coal resource-based cities based on the urban-mining-rural tri-structure and to simulate future scenarios, and constructed the ecological protection and urban development pattern of Huainan City based on the supply and demand of ecosystem services. [Methods] This study focused on Huainan, a typical mature coal resource-based city in Anhui Province. Using land use data from 2005 to 2020, the PLUS model simulated future land changes in Huainan under four scenarios: natural, urban development, mining development, and ecological protection. The InVEST model then evaluated the supply-demand matching of six ecosystem services for 2035. [Results] (1) By 2035, the natural scenario increased construction land, while other lands decreased. Urban development significantly expanded urban land. Mining development boosted mining and subsidence areas. Ecological protection enhanced cropland, forest, grass, and water areas and construction land increase slowly. (2) Urban and mining scenarios improved matching for carbon sequestration and erosion prevention compared to the natural scenario., while ecological protection scenario enhanced water production, recreation and tourism, water purification, and food supply. (3) Urban development scenario expanded low matching degree areas but stimulated economic growth, whereas ecological protection scenario improved overall supply-demand balance and increased ecological land [Conclusion] The ecological protection scenario optimized supply-demand matching, while urban development degraded it but stimulated the economic growth of the Huainan City. The economic protection pattern of “one axis, three corridors, and multiple cores” and the urban development system of “one main, one auxiliary, and multiple nodes” are constructed. This study offers a foundation for balanced development in coal resource-based cities.

[Objective] The increasingly complex international situations and frequent trade frictions have significantly intensified the supply risk of global industrial chains. The trade pattern evolution identifying and risk propagation modeling of global wind power industrial chains would provide essential implications for increasing the resilience of industrial chains and securing energy supplies. [Methods] This study depicted the spatial-temporal characteristics of major wind power industrial chains during 2000-2021 based on complex network analysis, revealed the resilience of the industrial networks by network resilience assessment, and tracked the impacts of supply risks from different countries (regions) based on cascading failure modeling. [Results] (1) The overall scale of global wind power industrial chains continued to expand with trade connections between countries (regions) intensifying, and the complexity and efficiency of industrial networks increased significantly. (2) China as a major exporter played an increasingly important role in the global wind power industrial chains, establishing intense trade relations with numerous countries (regions). (3) Supply risks originating from China may generate profound impacts on the tower and generator trade networks, while supply risks originating from the United States and Germany may generate profound impacts on the blade and gearbox trade networks, respectively. [Conclusion] Optimizing industrial layout, collaborating with emerging markets, and strengthening technological innovation are thus of great significance for systematically preventing potential risks within wind power industry chains worldwide.

[Objective] Blue food has become an important solution for human nutrition, health, and food security under the global sustainable development goals. Because of its nutritional health and environmental potential, it is becoming the focus of the transformation and upgrading of the food system. By comprehensively sorting out the development context and research trends of blue food, its hot topics and future development direction can be further summarized. [Methods] Based on the “Web of Science Core Collection (1985-2023)” as the data source, this study analyzed the relevant research results of blue food based on CiteSpace software, and discussed the research framework and future key issues of blue food from the perspective of geography. [Results] The findings are as follows: (1) Existing research has experienced three stages of steady growth at the initial stage, slow growth in the middle stage and rapid development in the recent period.The research fields are broad and there are numerous research institutions, but there exist issues such as insufficient theoretical construction and weak international exchanges and cooperation. (2) Existing studies continue to pay attention to aquaculture, food safety testing, consumer consumption, etc. In recent years, hot topics have paid more attention to human-land relationship and the construction of sustainable food systems, focusing on the nutrition and health value, resource and environmental effects, social and economic value, demand and consumption, and dietary recommendations of blue food. [Conclusion] By analyzing the progress of blue food research and constructing a framework for blue food studies from a geographical perspective, this paper suggests that future efforts should focus on the study of blue food consumption in different scenarios and groups, spatial and temporal differentiation of blue food production and consumption, multi-scale assessment and mechanism analysis of the environmental effects of blue food, the stability of blue food system and the response to future changes, and the multi-objective optimization of blue food consumption structure, so as to promote the theoretical improvement and practical innovation of blue food research in China.

[Objective] The coupling level between land use transition and rural transformation development shows obvious gradient differentiation characteristics at different stages of socio-economic development or in different regions, and clarifying the coupling relationship between the two systems creates conditions for promoting sustainable rural revitalization. [Methods] This paper took the county-level administrative regions in Jiangsu Province as an example from 2000 to 2020, analyzed the theoretical framework of the coupling relationship between land use transition and rural transformation development, and applied the coupling coordination and VAR model to explore their spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and interaction mechanism. [Results] (1) During the study period (2000-2020), the land use transition and rural transformation development development in counties of Jiangsu Province presented a pattern of evolving from low-speed heterogeneity to high-speed homogeneity, characterized by the macroscopic features of leading in some local areas and an orderly gradient improvement. (2) The coupling relationship of land use transition and rural transformation development in Jiangsu Province had undergone two stages: Transition from the province’s imbalance to partial low coupling, then from low coupling to high coupling. Overall, it showed a continuously improving trend year by year. In terms of spatial pattern, it presented a gradient differentiation pattern of “high in the south and low in the north”. (3) The coupling relationship between the land use transition and rural transformation development was complex. Rural trasformation development was the cause and driving force of for land use transition, while land use transition provided material basis and spatial support for rural transformation development. There was a strong mutual promotion relationship between the them. Rural transformation development was not only affected by itself but also impacted by the land use transition, and showed strong self-promotional characteristics, while land use transition exerted certain coercive effects on rural transformation development. [Conclusion] The coupling relationship between land use transition and rural transformation development determines the internal dynamics of regional rural transformation, and regulating this relationship provides an effective path for optimizing the rural spatial governance system and promoting sustainable rural development.