Spatial Econometric Analysis of Chinese Environmental Quality and Economic Growth
HU Zong-yi1, LI Ji-bo1, LIU Yi-wen2
1.College of Finance and Statistics, Hunan University, Changsha 410079, China; 2.School of International Studies, Hunan University of Commerce, Changsha 410205, China
Abstract By calculating the composite environment pollution index, this paper employs the panel data of 31 Chinese provinces from 2004 to 2012 and analyzes distribution patterns and evolution trends of the provincial economical growth as well as the level of environmental pollution. The result shows that environmental pollution has a significant spatial correlation, and when the traditional Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is further extended, it confirms the existence of EKC between environmental pollution and economic growth of “inverted U-shape” by spatial lag model. In addition, it demonstrates the quality of Chinese provincial environment is not only influenced by their neighbors, but also is impacted by the structural difference between regions, while those spatial factors such as the industrial structure and openness can improve environmental quality.
2017, Vol. 34 
