The evolution of the spatial structure of global integrated circuit trade network and its relational upgrading

As the core of information technology industry, integrated circuit industry has become the commanding elevation of science and technology competition between countries around the world. The international trade system of integrated circuits is an important manifestation of the evolution of its vertical division of labor production mode. Based on the global integrated circuit trade data, this paper establishes the trade network matrix, quotes the concept of relational upgrading, and pays attention to the spatial pattern of global integrated circuit trade network, as well as the upgrading of national positions, from a geographical perspective. To theorize relational upgrading, we have conceived a relational model of global trade network structure based on the clustering of individual countries into the five positions of isolated, peripheral, satellite, sub-core and core countries. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2019, the global integrated circuit trade tends to be complex and networked, coexisting with the characteristics of polarization. (2) The spatial distribution center of gravity of global integrated circuit trade has shifted to the southeast, basically forming a northwest-southeast spatial distribution pattern. (3) Along with the global industrial transfer and the change of international division of labor system, the rise of newly industrialized economies has promoted the evolution of spatial structure from a single center dominated by North America to a multi-center pattern dominated by East Asia, Southeast Asia and North America. (4) Based on the perspective of relational upgrading, the core-periphery system has a clear hierarchical structure, and the geographical pattern of countries has significant spatial heterogeneity. The core position has always been dominated by developed countries, and the developing countries with huge trade volume have been in satellite and sub-core positions for a long time. (5) Relational upgrading is the main path of national positions adjustment. It presents the evolutionary characteristics of "gradual upgrading dominated, supplemented by leapfrogging", accompanied by path dependence and path locking effect. A total of 26 countries, including Korea, the Netherlands, Russia, Vietnam, have achieved gradual upgrading; China, Spain, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates have completed the leapfrog upgrade. Furthermore, China has become the only developing country in the core position.