Spatial network structure and driving factors of the new quality productive forces in water conservancy in China

New quality productive forces in water conservancy, as an important part of new quality productive forces, are important engines to promote the high-quality development of water conservancy, which can enhance the efficiency of water resources utilization and guarantee national water security. Based on panel data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from 2012 to 2022, this paper constructs an evaluation index system for new quality productive forces in water conservancy. Additionally, it constructs a spatial correlation network using modified gravitational model, social network analysis, and quadratic assignment procedure, and explores its driving factors. The results show that the overall new quality productive forces in water conservancy in China show a significant upward trend, with the spatial pattern of“the strongest in the eastern region, the second in the center region, and relatively weaker in the western and northeastern regions”and“the stronger in the southern region and the weaker in the northern region”. The correlation of the spatial correlation network has gone through the dynamic evolution process of“enhancement-stabilization-weakening-recovery”. No provincial-level region is in isolation, and the difference distribution of nodes reflects the spatial preference of the flow of water resources. The economic development, scientific and technological development, human capital, environmental regulation and financial support have different effects on the spatial network of new quality productive forces in water conservancy. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen regional coordination and cooperation, optimize scientific and technological investment and innovation, improve policy support and develop the new quality productive forces in water conservancy according to local conditions.