Visualizing the Chinese cyberspace: a spatial-temporal analysis (2012–2019)

Abstract Despite growing interest in understanding urban networks in cyberspace, data availability remains a significant challenge, as few studies have systematically visualized the entirety of cyberspace networks. Using the Baidu Index, which tracks the exposure of cities in online media and their search activity by users in other cities, this analysis visualizes and examines the urban networks of 296 Chinese cities from 2012 to 2019. Our findings highlight the following key insights. The spatial distribution of web search activity forms a diamond pattern, with the four core regions of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and Chengdu-Chongqing serving as the main vertices. Within this configuration, the most popular cities are predominantly located in eastern China, reflecting both its advanced economic development and substantial urbanization. While the uneven pattern of online connectivity has narrowed from 2012 to 2019, the network structure in cyberspace is strongly associated with traditional factors such as population size, economic capacity, and geographical proximity. Besides, cyberspace creates new opportunities for peripheral cities to elevate their online visibility and thus partially reshape local or sub-regional networks, offering an alternative pathway for certain mid-western cities. This reshaping is evident in the increased inbound attention to cities like Chengdu and Urumqi, which have boosted their online presence and enhanced their positions within the urban network. Flows in cyberspace should be a vital consideration in future urban spatial planning and regional development strategies. The insights from this analysis offer valuable guidance for policy-making to redirect a portion of the digital attention to enhance the online presence of less-developed regions.