Research on the Multilayer Network of Relations of Western Agricultural Trade along the Belt and Road

Fengjie Xie, Xiaoxiao Yin and Ruifen Sun ()
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Fengjie Xie: School of Modern Posts, Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China
Xiaoxiao Yin: School of Modern Posts, Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China
Ruifen Sun: School of Modern Posts, Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China

Mathematics, 2022, vol. 10, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: This paper defines the weighted super adjacency matrix based on the existing super adjacency matrix. This paper, for the first time, combines the trade network, competitive network, and complementary network to construct the trade multilayer network, and innovatively defines the interlayer connections. Based on this, we build trade multilayer networks for three major agricultural products in the western region along the “Belt and Road”. The paper then proposes analytical methods, including a classification algorithm for local network relations and a comparative analysis of trade development priorities based on the local network relations. The former is used to identify and categorize key trading countries and potential trading countries for western agricultural products along the “Belt and Road”. The latter is used to examine the western regions’ order of priority in developing trade relations with the classified countries. According to the findings, category I agricultural trade has 37 key trading countries among the “Belt and Road” countries. Their local network relationships are classified into six groups, and their trade development priorities are classified into four levels. There are 49 key trading countries in category II agricultural trade. Their local network relations can be classified into three groups, and their trade development priorities can be classified into two levels. There are 62 key trading countries in category IV agricultural trade. Their local network relationships are classified into six groups, and their trade development priorities are classified into four levels. Furthermore, only Chile is a potential trading partner in category I agricultural trade. Finally, this paper offers policy recommendations for the development of agricultural trade along the “Belt and Road” in the western region.

Keywords: the “Belt and Road”; the Western region; agricultural trade; multilayer network of relations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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