Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Belt and Road Initiative

• H1: Commodity-specific competitiveness sensitivity The application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for constructing a composite com-petitiveness index of BRI corridors allows for methodological flexibility in determining indicator weights, which should vary depending on the type of traded commodity under analysis. The competitiveness of the BRI can be more accurately assessed by allowing the weight co-efficients of evaluation criteria within the AHP model to vary depending on the type of product or commodity analyzed (e.g., high-tech goods, bulk commodities, perishables). • H2: Validity of internationally standardized data sources The use of internationally recognized data sources—such as the World Bank logistics per-formance indicators, DHL Global Connectedness Index, and UNCTAD maritime connectivity statis-tics—provides a reliable and consistent basis for quantifying competitiveness indicators within the AHP-based model framework. These hypotheses guide both the model architecture and the data sourcing protocols em-ployed in this study. The use of standardized, externally verified quantitative indicators—such as those provided by the World Bank Logistics Performance Index, DHL Global Connectedness Index, UNCTAD, and OECD—is a valid and reliable approach for assigning values to the evaluation parameters within the AHP model.• H1：特定商品竞争力敏感度 将层次分析法（Analytic Hierarchy Process, AHP）用于构建“一带一路”（Belt and Road Initiative, BRI）通道的综合竞争力指数，可在确定指标权重时获得方法学层面的灵活性，且权重需根据所分析的贸易商品类型进行差异化调整。 通过允许层次分析法模型内的评价准则权重系数，依据所分析的产品或商品类型（如高科技货物、大宗商品、易腐货物）进行调整，能够更精准地评估“一带一路”的竞争力水平。 • H2：国际标准化数据源的有效性 采用世界银行物流绩效指数（World Bank Logistics Performance Index）、DHL全球连通性指数（DHL Global Connectedness Index）、联合国贸易和发展会议（UNCTAD）海运连通性统计数据等国际公认数据源，可为基于层次分析法的模型框架内量化竞争力指标提供可靠且一致的基础。 上述两项假说为本研究所采用的模型架构与数据采集流程规范提供了指导依据。 采用经外部验证的标准化定量指标（如世界银行物流绩效指数、DHL全球连通性指数、联合国贸易和发展会议及经济合作与发展组织（OECD）发布的指标），是为层次分析法模型内的评价参数赋值的有效且可靠的方法。