A Study on the Impact of Pilot Free Trade Zones on Regional Technological Innovation and Spatial Spillover Effects

Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is an important initiative for China to continuously deepen reforms and expand openness. Using 273 prefecture-level and above cities in China as the study population, panel data from 2010 to 2019 were selected and a multi-period double difference method with a spatial Durbin model was used to assess the impact of free trade test zones on regional technological innovation and its spatial spillover effects. It was found that: (1) There is a positive impact of the FTZ policy on the regional talent introduction, scientific research expenditure and patent level. (2) For talent introduction and scientific research expenditure, the effect of the FTZ policy began to emerge in the period of establishment, with the number of researchers and research expenditure in the region increasing by 12.1% and 0.2% respectively; the effect of the policy on patent level began to emerge with a lag of one period, resulting in an 11.2% increase in the number of patents granted in the region. (3) The overall positive spatial spillover effects were observed in the level of talent introduction, scientific research expenditure and patent. The government should continue to leverage the advantages of institutional innovation in the FTZ, break the shackles that restrict the flow of innovation resources, and expand the spatial spillover effect of technological innovation induced by the FTZ