ABSTRACT
Based on the WWZ total export decomposition model, this chapter constructs a measurement framework for global value chain (GVC) digitalization that incorporates the digital penetration rate. Utilizing world input–output data from 2000 to 2020, it analyzes the characteristics of GVC digitalization from three perspectives. The findings indicate that China's manufacturing sector primarily engages in digital division of labor through domestic digital value-added, with digital value-added mainly stemming from simple production activities, and its overall position in the division shows a fluctuating upward trend. Global manufacturing digital value-added continues to grow, with regional digital value chains concentrated in RCEP, the EU, and NAFTA, and developed countries still holding significant advantages in digital exports. China maintains close digital linkages with major economies, exhibits a high degree of digital dependence on the United States, and demonstrates notable competitive advantages in digital exports to markets such as Mexico and South Korea. The study reveals that China's manufacturing integration into the digital GVC faces challenges, including insufficient domestic digital investment, a lack of export competitiveness in certain industries, and a high concentration in the sources of digital value-added.
