The bioeconomy of China: Measurement, Regulation and Policy

Summary

As the bioeconomy—the part of the economy based on renewable biological resources—becomes increasingly central to sustainable development, my PhD research offers a comprehensive evaluation of China’s bioeconomic sector. By applying innovative measurement methods, I quantified its remarkable growth, showing it now surpasses the size of the bioeconomy in both the US and the EU. Furthermore, I investigated how regulatory policies influence corporate investment, demonstrating that bigger firms could benefit from increased regulatory integration, while smaller firms may be adversely affected. Also, my analysis of place-based policies, such as Special Economic Zones, revealed that they can unexpectedly reduce productivity among listed companies. These findings provide crucial insights for policymakers seeking to support a sustainable economic transition, highlighting the need for smarter regulations and balanced strategies to foster both innovation and long-term growth in China’s bioeconomy.