Table 2 The qualitative descriptions of selected variables.

Urban population (%)

De

pop^a

The proportion of the urban population in the total population. It represents demographic urbanization.

Science popularization funds (yuan/person)

Inde

sci^a

The annual science popularization fundraising per capita. It represents innovation ability and innovation resource.

Internet port (port/10,000 persons)

Inde

ict^a

The number of internet broadband access ports per 10,000 persons. It represents ICT infrastructure.

Salary level (yuan/person)

Inde

wage^a

The average salary of information service practitioners. It represents ICT environment.

Internet use (household/10,000 persons)

Inde

int^a

The internet broadband access per 10,000 users. It represents ICT application level.

E-commerce (enterprise/10,000 persons)

Inde

ecom

The number of businesses with e-commerce transactions per 10,000 persons. It represents ICT achievement.

Express delivery business (yuan/person)

Inde

expr^a

The income from the express delivery business per capita. It represents ICT-related industry state.

population density (person/sq.km)

Con

den^a

The number of urban populations per unit area.

Financial expenditure (yuan/person)

Con

budg^a

The local general public budget expenditure per capita.

Higher education (person)

Con

edu^a

The average number of students enrolled in higher education per 100,000 persons.

Consumption level (yuan/person)

Con

expe^a

The consumption expenditure of urban residents per capita.

Built-up area (sq.m/person)

De

spac^a

The built-up area per capita. It represents spatial urbanization.

Industry structure (%)

Con

ind^a

The added value of the tertiary industry accounts for the proportion of GDP.

Financial pressure (–)

Con

fin^a

The ratio of local general public budget expenditure to revenue.

GDP (yuan/person)

De

econ^a

The GDP per capita. It represents economic urbanization.

Population size (10,000 persons)

Con

tot^a

The total population at the end of the year.

Industry structure (%)

Con

ind^a

The added value of the tertiary industry accounts for the proportion of GDP.