Networked Transport and Economic Growth: Does High-Speed Rail Narrow the Gap between Cities in China?

The construction of China’s high-speed rail has been arousing controversy for the possibility exacerbating regional imbalance. This paper provides an empirical analysis based on panel data 276 prefecture-level cities during 2007–2018 to explore authenticity this inference. threshold model is adopted investigate whether economic growth becomes stronger and more equal among under impact rapidly expanding network by taking per capita gross domestic product (pGDP) as variable. To fully dynamic function, we incorporate three progressive indices measure role in network: existence rail, number lines, betweenness centrality city entire network. result shows that can promote there a effect process. Specifically, with higher pGDP benefit from rail. Another significant conclusion be drawn intensify disparities, yet marginal gap tends decline gets optimized. Meanwhile, study recognized nine circle-like urban agglomerations results, reflecting polycentric developing pattern China.