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The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of global value chain participation (GVCP) on the gains from trade and trade costs of the timber industry and reveal the underlying influence mechanism. The GVCP Index, Novy (2011) method, and WWZ Value Added Decomposition method have been used to measure the degree of GVCP, trade costs, and gains from trade of the timber industry, respectively. The results show that the export gains from trade of the timber industry featured inter-annual sustainability. Further, GVCP has an insignificant impact, suggesting that the industry's degree of GVCP is limited. While the current trade cost and policy barriers to forest product trade harm it. And the cost of export trade has a strong lag effect on gains from trade. The increase of current trade costs reduces the short-term benefits; however, in the long run, the trade costs and benefits show a synchronous growth trend. To maintain and enhance its competitiveness, therefore, the industry will have to change the GVCP degree and mode of the timber industry, reduce short-term trade costs, and improve the quality and legitimacy certification level of timber products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the world's largest importer of logs, possessing the scale to exert significant influence in the international market. This paper uses a fixed-effect variable coefficient Pricing-to-Market panel model to measure China's market power in log import trade. It also utilizes the Almost Ideal Demand System model from an elasticity perspective to explore the market behavior characteristics of various source countries in China's log import trade, thereby validating the mechanism of market power. The results indicate that: ① China's main trading partners can be categorized into four groups according to their market power in the log import trade. Specifically, China holds superlative market power in log imports from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar; holds strong market power in log imports from Russia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique; holds weak market power in log imports from Papua New Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand; and holds no market power in Japan, Cameroon, and the United States. ② As China's expenditure on log imports increases, there is a tendency to purchase high-quality precious wood and a greater concern for the legality of market transactions. Consequently, China is anticipated to augment its imports from source countries with no or weak market power. ③ The simple price elasticity of log imports from each source country is negative. Source countries with stronger market power tend to increase prices to achieve higher total revenue, while those with weaker market power are more inclined to lower prices to achieve the same. ④ Log products from various source countries are complementary in the Chinese market, indicating that China's substantial demand for logs relies on the simultaneous supply from multiple countries and diverse wood types. Based on the existence or absence of market power in China's log import trade, this paper provides targeted insights into enhancing international market power and reducing trade losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relying on the digital economy may help reconcile contradictions between the need to improve quality of life (QoL) and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Yet, previous research has not systematically explored the correlation between the digital economy, QoL, and carbon emissions. This paper explores the influence of the digital economy and of changes in QoL on carbon emissions, using a system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model. To do this we first use principal component analysis to calculate an objective QoL and a digital economy index using provincial panel data in China from 2006 to 2018. The results demonstrate that both the digital economy and QoL exhibit inverted U-shaped effects on carbon emissions. Our results also show that the growth of the digital economy improves QoL while mitigating the influence of QoL on carbon emissions. Thus, these findings illustrate that policymakers can rely upon the digital economy to help reconcile potential conflicts that arise between QoL and carbon emission reduction goals. Overall, these findings add a new dimension to carbon reduction policies. We propose that policymakers can improve QoL and reduce carbon emissions by coordinating the scale and efficiency-enhancing effects of developing the digital economy. In addition, regions that rely on energy industries should consider the efficiency-enhancing effect of the digital economy when formulating provincial and national emission reduction policies. China aims to improve the QoL of its citizens while achieving carbon peak and neutrality goals in the coming decades. This study demonstrates how the digital economy can both improve QoL and reduce carbon emissions. Given the non-linear impact of QoL on carbon emissions, policymakers should not be concerned that climate mitigation policies will deter or damage efforts to generate to QoL improvements. Countries should develop digital economies to improve QoL while simultaneously paying attention to its efficiency improvement effect, which can reduce carbon emissions. Policymakers should focus on the enhanced efficiency improvement effect of the digital economy on the allocation of resources, particularly in regions with energy-intensive industries as economic pillars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood processing products can be used as a substitute for some high carbon emission materials, thus contributing significantly to climate change mitigation. China has significant importance in guaranteeing a stable global supply of wood products. However, China has experienced a decline in wood product exports recently, which could affect the world's progress toward sustainable development. This study focuses on the spatial agglomeration of China's wood-processing industry and explores the potential of integrating spatial agglomeration to address the diminishing export growth. We found that the spatial agglomeration of China's wood-processing industry generally increased rapidly between 1999 and 2004, but decreased after 2004. The centroid of China's wood-processing is shifting from the northeastern region toward the eastern coastal areas. The industry is more concentrated in the north–south direction and slightly dispersed in the east–west direction. Most sub-sectors of China's wood-processing industry operate at the primary agglomeration level, indicating significant potential for improvement and further development. The empirical results unveil the substantial positive influence of spatial agglomeration on exports within China's wood-processing industry, indicating the prospects for enhancing exports through the deliberate exploitation of agglomeration effects. The results advocate the view that spatial agglomeration acts as an essential accelerator for export growth and firms' international competitiveness. Therefore, spatial agglomeration can alleviate the export constraints of China's wood-processing industry. The results also show that exports are hampered by increased enterprise productivity. The 'productivity paradox' phenomenon has also surfaced in low-tech industries, like the wood-processing industry, as a result of issues with transaction costs, the development path, and policy orientation. Therefore, we should strategically leverage the spatial agglomeration effect, especially in the western region, and guide the moderate competition of enterprises to enhance the competitiveness of low-tech enterprises. China's wood-processing industry can provide advanced experience and lessons for other countries regarding industrial cluster allocation and sustainable development models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest carbon sinks play an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Chinese government has demonstrated its proactive approach to addressing climate change by setting development targets for low-carbon transformation and making solemn commitments to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In this article, the Chinese Government's Work Reports and Five-Year Plans are used to construct an index named China's Climate Change Policy Attention ( C C P A ), which reflects the government's emphasis on climate change and forestry in China. This article aims to examine the impact of C C P A , the adjusted Climate Policy Uncertainty ( C P U ) index from the U.S., and the Economic Policy Uncertainty ( E P U ) index from China on the Chinese forest carbon stocks ( F C S ) comprehensively. On this basis, we are interested in clarifying the channels by which C C P A promotes the growth of forest carbon sequestration in China. Specifically, panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2017 are used for empirical analysis, and the following results are obtained: (1) The baseline regression indicates that C C P A significantly promotes the growth of F C S , while C P U or E P U inhibits its growth. (2) The interactive regression shows that the effect of C C P A on the growth of F C S can mitigate the inhibiting impact of C P U or E P U . (3) Mediation analysis documents that C C P A promotes F C S growth by increasing the forest tending area, expanding the existing forest area, increasing renewable energy consumption, and improving green investment. (4) Heterogeneity analysis reveals a clear differentiation in the effect of C C P A on F C S under different situations. Finally, policy implications are proposed based on the results. This article is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the Chinese government to develop relevant policies from the perspective of promoting F C S growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]