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"New Quality Productive Forces and Greater Self-reliance and Strength in Science and Technology" Column

New Quality Productive Forces: Theoretical Foundations, Mea⁃ surement Indicators, and Spatiotemporal Evolution 

Zhang Yuanyuan, Li Wenjing, Sun Pu 

 (School of Management and Economics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zheng⁃ zhou 450046, China)

Abstract: New quality productive forces represent not only an advanced form of productivity  aligned with the new development philosophy but also a powerful driver and underpinning force  for achieving high-quality development. Based on the connotation and characteristics of new  quality productive forces, and drawing from the inherent logic of the Marxist theoretical system  and Schumpeterian innovation theory, this study explores their formation mechanism and devel⁃ opment trajectory. Grounded in the dual dimensions of "new" and "quality", an evaluation index  system for new quality productive forces, tailored to China's development context, is constructed. This system encompasses key production factors, main carriers, technological underpinnings, la⁃ borers, production tools, and comprehensive development. Utilizing data from 30 Chinese prov⁃ inces (municipalities, autonomous regions) from 2013 to 2022, employing the entropy weight  method and Theil index, the development level of new quality productive forces is measured and  analyzed. The findings indicate the following: ① The national level of new quality productive  forces exhibits a year-on-year growth trend. The Eastern region demonstrates a higher develop⁃ ment level, followed by the Central region, while the Northeast and Western regions lag behind. All regions outside the East fall below the national average. ②Significant regional disparities ex⁃ ist in the development of China's new quality productive forces. The overall disparity curve ex⁃ hibits a "U"shaped pattern, decreasing first and then increasing. Inter-regional differences con⁃ stitute the primary source of the overall disparity, highlighting persistent spatial differentiation. Intra-regional differentiation is most pronounced within the Eastern region, followed by the  Western region. ③The results of the Gaussian kernel density curve confirm an overall upward  trend in China's new quality productive forces level, with both the "new" and "quality" dimen⁃ sions showing marked growth. However, a certain degree of polarization is observed, and regional  disparities within the "new" dimension show a widening trend. ④The findings from Moran's in⁃ dex reveal a spatially clustered pattern in the development level of China's new quality produc⁃ tive forces, predominantly characterized by "low-low" agglomeration, concentrated in Central  and Western regions represented by Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Shanxi. "Highhigh" agglomeration is typified by eastern provinces such as Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and  Shandong. This pattern suggests significant untapped potential for the development of new qual⁃ ity productive forces in China. Finally, based on these conclusions, targeted policy recommenda⁃ tions are proposed across three dimensions.Firstly, coordinate the relationship between the effec⁃ tive market and the capable government to establish an institutional foundation propelling the  leap of new quality productive forces. Secondly, strengthen region-specific strategies to guide co⁃ ordinated regional development of new quality productive forces. Thirdly, construct an integrated  industrial system to foster the dual-wheel drive of the "new" and "quality" dimensions. This  study aims to provide theoretical grounding and intellectual support for advancing China's new  quality productive forces and achieving high-quality economic development. 

Key words: new quality productive forces; theoretical foundations; measurement indicators; spatiotemporal evolution