China's Provincial Economic Network (1978-2023): Based on Modified Gravity Model and Social Network Analysis

Abstract Based on the gravity model, this paper selects data from six representative time points (1978, 1987, 1996, 2005, 2014, and 2023) across 31 provinces in mainland China. Key indicators include labor population, regional gross product (GRP), per capita GDP, inter-provincial distance, gross fixed capital formation, and labor productivity. A weighted directed inter-provincial economic linkage network is constructed to systematically analyze its overall characteristics, nodal roles, meso-structural patterns, and evolutionary trends. Policy recommendations are further proposed.Research Findings:(1) Overall connectivity stabilized in the 1990s and strengthened persistently. (2)Small-world characteristics emerged with high reciprocity and low average distance. (3)Nodal functional differentiation evolved from single-core to multi-core bridging. (4)Stable block and core-periphery structures with dynamic adjustments. (5)The evolutionary process shows phased characteristics.