Ways of the Integration of the Digital Economy with the Real Economy: Evidence from China

The purpose of this study is to explore the integration of the digital economy and the real economy to drive the development of internationally competitive digital industrial clusters. By analyzing literature data and investigating the development of various industries and industrial economies, we categorized the types of the real economy based on the economic function dimension. This study comprehensively analyzed the digital economy and real economy, with a focus on their intersection. Our findings indicate that the integration of these two economies can be categorized based on their economic function, providing a comprehensive understanding of the various forms and their application range, reflecting the fundamental aspect of economic realization. The characteristics of the digital economy and real economy not only capture the overall traits of various forms but also highlight their unique features. The proposed paths for integrating the digital economy and real economy, designed with a systematic thinking approach, are practical and effective. These integrated forms encompass the key types of future economic development and represent the commanding heights of future economic competition. Developing the integration of the digital economy and real economy based on their morphological characteristics and corresponding paths is crucial for achieving high-quality economic development.