Utilizing the global refined copper trade volume data spanning from 2004 to 2023, we employ complex network analysis to construct both random and weighted networks, thereby examining the global refined copper trade patterns from three perspectives: the overall trade structure, trade associations, and the roles of major trading nations. Additionally, we apply an enhanced gravitational model to assess the potential of China’s refined copper trade with its top 10 trading partners. The findings reveal that: (1)The global refined copper trade exhibits characteristics of a small-world network, characterized by a multi-core trade association structure, evolving from an initial dominance by European and American countries to later incorporating nations from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. (2)China and the United States emerge as principal importers of refined copper, while Chile, Peru, Japan, and Australia serve as major exporters. The United States and India function as pivotal intermediaries in the refined copper trade, with Germany and Italy acting as central hubs. (3)Among the top 10 trading partners, Chile and Australia present potential, for restructuring, whereas South Korea, the United States, and Zambia, exhibit significant potential. Additionally, Japan, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Peru and Poland are potential pioneering. The study provides some policy recommendations for the development of international refined copper trade and China’s import of refined copper.
模块度和社团个数是衡量网络社团结构划分质量的2个重要指标,模块度反映了网络中社团内部连接的紧密程度以及社团之间的分离程度(Newman et al,2006),社团个数则直接表明了网络被划分为多少个社团。根据模块度和社团个数理论,得到2004—2023年全球精炼铜贸易模块度和社团个数变化趋势如图3所示。
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