Digital Infrastructure and the Reshaping of Labor Mobility: A Regional Economic Analysis of the "East Data West Computing" Initiative
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Digital Infrastructure and the Reshaping of Labor Mobility: A Regional Economic Analysis of the "East Data West Computing" Initiative

Jingru Xu 1*
1 China Agriculture Universit
*Corresponding author: jingru.xu@ucdenver.edu
Published on 26 November 2025
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AEMPS Vol.245
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-569-1
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-570-7
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Abstract

The "East Data, West Computing" (EDWC) initiative represents a landmark in China's digital infrastructure strategy, aiming to redistribute computing capacity and foster balanced regional development. While prior research has emphasized industrial and energy outcomes, its impact on labor mobility remains underexplored. This paper examines how EDWC shapes interregional labor flows, treating key receiving regions as the treatment group and others as controls. Building on infrastructure and migration literature, it proposes three mechanisms—lowering information and matching costs, fostering industrial clusters, and narrowing regional disparities—through which digital infrastructure may influence population movements. The study expands existing debates from traditional transportation infrastructure to digital networks, offering empirical evidence and policy insights into how large-scale digital infrastructure projects reshape labor allocation and regional economic dynamics.

Keywords:

digital infrastructure, East Data West Computing, labor mobility, regional development, industrial clusters

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Xu,J. (2025). Digital Infrastructure and the Reshaping of Labor Mobility: A Regional Economic Analysis of the "East Data West Computing" Initiative. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,245,61-66.

References

[1]. Zhang, K., Yang, D., Zhao, H., Chen, X., & Tang, Z. (2022). Digital economy as a new driver of regional economic development. Regional Economic Review, (3), 8–19. https: //doi.org/10.14017/j.cnki.2095-5766.2022.0061

[2]. Guo Y., Ye Y., Wang C., Liu Z., Lu Q. (2025). Spatial transfer of carbon emissions in China’s data centers under background of “East Data and West Calculation” Project [J]. GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE, 2025, 45(3): 459-471 https: //doi.org/10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.20230568

[3]. Yadin, Y., Ibrahim, M. B. H., Irawan, A., Akbar, M. A., & Yendra, Y. (2024). Labor Mobility and Wage Dynamics: Understanding the Interplay of Factors in Modern Labor Economics. Advances in Human Resource Management Research, 2(2), 90-101.

[4]. Duranton, G., & Turner, M. A. (2012). Urban Growth and transportation. Centre for Economic Policy Research.

[5]. Donaldson, D. (2018). Railroads of the Raj: Estimating the Impact of Transportation Infrastructure. https: //doi.org/10.3386/w16487

[6]. Forman, C., Goldfarb, A., & Greenstein, S. (2012). The internet and local wages: A puzzle. American Economic Review, 102(1), 556–575. https: //doi.org/10.1257/aer.102.1.556

[7]. Czernich, N., Falck, O., Kretschmer, T., & Woessmann, L. (2011). Broadband Infrastructure and Economic Growth. The Economic Journal, 121(552), 505–532. https: //doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2011.02420.x

[8]. Liu X., Li P., Zhang P. (2023). Business Environment Optimization, Technological Progressand Industrial Transformation and Upgrading: An Empirical Analysis

[9]. Wang, L. (2022). Research on the path of coordinated regional development under the “East Data West Computing” project. Regional Economic Review (Regional Economic Review), (6), 48–57.

[10]. Li, J., & Sun, T. (2023). Digital economic development in central and western China under the background of “East Data West Computing.” Digital Economy, (4), 63–72.

[11]. Janampa, J. C., Berhouet, M. P., Perrot, B., & Lindgren, M. (2025). Digital transformation in employment policies.

[12]. Kosfeld, R., & Mitze, T. (2023). Research and development intensive clusters and regional competitiveness. Growth and Change, 54(4), 885-911.

[13]. Jin, M., & Wang, J. (2023). The impact of digital infrastructure on high-quality regional development: An empirical analysis based on provincial panel data in China. China Soft Science, (2), 78–87.

References

[1]. Zhang, K., Yang, D., Zhao, H., Chen, X., & Tang, Z. (2022). Digital economy as a new driver of regional economic development. Regional Economic Review, (3), 8–19. https: //doi.org/10.14017/j.cnki.2095-5766.2022.0061

[2]. Guo Y., Ye Y., Wang C., Liu Z., Lu Q. (2025). Spatial transfer of carbon emissions in China’s data centers under background of “East Data and West Calculation” Project [J]. GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE, 2025, 45(3): 459-471 https: //doi.org/10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.20230568

[3]. Yadin, Y., Ibrahim, M. B. H., Irawan, A., Akbar, M. A., & Yendra, Y. (2024). Labor Mobility and Wage Dynamics: Understanding the Interplay of Factors in Modern Labor Economics. Advances in Human Resource Management Research, 2(2), 90-101.

[4]. Duranton, G., & Turner, M. A. (2012). Urban Growth and transportation. Centre for Economic Policy Research.

[5]. Donaldson, D. (2018). Railroads of the Raj: Estimating the Impact of Transportation Infrastructure. https: //doi.org/10.3386/w16487

[6]. Forman, C., Goldfarb, A., & Greenstein, S. (2012). The internet and local wages: A puzzle. American Economic Review, 102(1), 556–575. https: //doi.org/10.1257/aer.102.1.556

[7]. Czernich, N., Falck, O., Kretschmer, T., & Woessmann, L. (2011). Broadband Infrastructure and Economic Growth. The Economic Journal, 121(552), 505–532. https: //doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2011.02420.x

[8]. Liu X., Li P., Zhang P. (2023). Business Environment Optimization, Technological Progressand Industrial Transformation and Upgrading: An Empirical Analysis

[9]. Wang, L. (2022). Research on the path of coordinated regional development under the “East Data West Computing” project. Regional Economic Review (Regional Economic Review), (6), 48–57.

[10]. Li, J., & Sun, T. (2023). Digital economic development in central and western China under the background of “East Data West Computing.” Digital Economy, (4), 63–72.

[11]. Janampa, J. C., Berhouet, M. P., Perrot, B., & Lindgren, M. (2025). Digital transformation in employment policies.

[12]. Kosfeld, R., & Mitze, T. (2023). Research and development intensive clusters and regional competitiveness. Growth and Change, 54(4), 885-911.

[13]. Jin, M., & Wang, J. (2023). The impact of digital infrastructure on high-quality regional development: An empirical analysis based on provincial panel data in China. China Soft Science, (2), 78–87.

Cite this article

Xu,J. (2025). Digital Infrastructure and the Reshaping of Labor Mobility: A Regional Economic Analysis of the "East Data West Computing" Initiative. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,245,61-66.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICFTBA 2025 Symposium: Data-Driven Decision Making in Business and Economics

ISBN: 978-1-80590-569-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-570-7(Online)
Editor: Lukášak Varti
Conference website: https://2025.icftba.org/Bratislava.html
Conference date: 12 December 2025
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.245
ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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