# Uncovering the characteristics and evolution of inter-provincial knowledge flow in China through Chinese literature citations

## TL;DR

This paper studies how knowledge spreads between Chinese provinces through citations in scientific literature and finds that the flow is strengthening with a more balanced distribution.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is constructing and analyzing an inter-provincial knowledge flow network using Chinese literature citations and Chinese Library Classification.

## Key findings

- Inter-provincial knowledge flow in China is strengthening with narrowing provincial importance differences.
- Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Hubei are central in driving knowledge innovation.
- A core–periphery structure persists, with increasing core-peripheral correlations and fewer core provinces.

## Abstract

Knowledge flow is essential for regional innovation and a critical pathway to building a high-quality innovation system in China. This study constructs an inter-provincial knowledge flow network based on citation relationships in Chinese literature, applies social network analysis to examine the evolution of its characteristics, and employs the Chinese Library Classification number to represent content categories. The results indicate that (1) inter-provincial knowledge flow in China is gradually strengthening, while differences in provincial importance are narrowing and dependence on key provinces is declining; (2) Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Hubei remain central in driving knowledge innovation within the network; (3) a core–periphery structure persists, although the number of provinces in the core is decreasing and correlations between the core and peripheral regions are increasing; and (4) the country’s leading economic provinces and cultural centers continue to play a prominent role in the output of scientific innovation.