Impact of Digital Trade Development on China’s Export: A Case of RCEP

A system to evaluate the level of digital trade development was developed using the entropy method to measure the level of digital trade development in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RECP) member countries from 2013 to 2022. Referring to relevant literature, we also applied the stochastic frontier gravity model and the trade inefficiency model to evaluate export efficiency. Export efficiency was an important factor affecting trade between China and RCEP member countries considering the significant heterogeneity of the countries. Export efficiency was affected by the level of digital trade development significantly, with investment and the level of transportation infrastructure. China needs to seize the opportunities of digital trade by strengthening cooperation with RCEP member countries in digital trade to grasp competitive advantages and optimize the commodity structure. It is essential to utilize the opportunity to enhance export efficiency with the member countries of RCEP.