Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityI am a Ph.D.-student of International Relations in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. I have obtained a Bachelor's Degree of Applied Chemistry from Nankai University, and obtained a Master's Degree of International Business from Shanghai International Studies University.
My research interests focus on International Economics, Complex Network, Econometrics, International Organization, and Computational Politics.
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Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversitySchool of International and Public Affairs
Ph.D.-Student in International RelationsSep. 2024 - present -
Shanghai International Studies UniversitySchool of Economics and Finance
M.I.B. (Professional in International Business)Sep. 2021 - Jul. 2023 -
Nankai UniversityCollege of Chemistry
B.S. in Applied ChemistrySep. 2017 - Jul. 2021
Honors & Awards
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30th Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (CChO) - 1st Prize2016
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33rd Chinese Physics Olympiad (CPhO) - 3rd Prize2016
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25th China High School Biology Olympiad (CHSBO) - 2nd Prize2016
Selected Publications (view all )
Rethinking the competition of export trade based on the bipartite network
Sin-Som Sergio Tsiong, Shuaihang Li, Mingqian Zhang
Chaos, Solitons & Fractals. Vol.203, 2026: 117677. 1st author Corr. author
As trade competition has regained attention in the current global context, this article seeks to develop a competition measurement grounded in a complex-network framework, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional indicators that neglect “heterogeneity” and “interconnectedness”. We construct a country–commodity bipartite network based on the RCA index and apply the asymmetric reflection algorithm in combination with the Matrix-Estimation Exercise to calculate two indicators: generalized competition intensiveness of country (GCC) and of product (GCP), which quantifies the overall competition status at both the country and commodity levels. Subsequent algorithmic discussions and four case-based analyses support the validity and reliability of the proposed measures, further demonstrating that GCC and GCP are closely interrelated, mutually reinforcing, and determined by export structures rather than trade volumes. Robustness checks across different RCA thresholds, eigenvalue specifications, and trade-data statistical calibers consistently confirm the stability of the results. Cross-sectional comparisons with traditional indicators highlight the superiority of the proposed framework, showing that conventional measures tend to underestimate the competition intensiveness of underdeveloped economies while overestimating that of advanced ones. Finally, sensitivity analyses of intra-country and intra-sector shocks distinguish between two categories of countries, yielding policy insights that suggest divergent developmental pathways.
Rethinking the competition of export trade based on the bipartite network
Sin-Som Sergio Tsiong, Shuaihang Li, Mingqian Zhang
Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 2026: 1st author Corr. author
As trade competition has regained attention in the current global context, this article seeks to develop a competition measurement grounded in a complex-network framework, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional indicators that neglect “heterogeneity” and “interconnectedness”. We construct a country–commodity bipartite network based on the RCA index and apply the asymmetric reflection algorithm in combination with the Matrix-Estimation Exercise to calculate two indicators: generalized competition intensiveness of country (GCC) and of product (GCP), which quantifies the overall competition status at both the country and commodity levels. Subsequent algorithmic discussions and four case-based analyses support the validity and reliability of the proposed measures, further demonstrating that GCC and GCP are closely interrelated, mutually reinforcing, and determined by export structures rather than trade volumes. Robustness checks across different RCA thresholds, eigenvalue specifications, and trade-data statistical calibers consistently confirm the stability of the results. Cross-sectional comparisons with traditional indicators highlight the superiority of the proposed framework, showing that conventional measures tend to underestimate the competition intensiveness of underdeveloped economies while overestimating that of advanced ones. Finally, sensitivity analyses of intra-country and intra-sector shocks distinguish between two categories of countries, yielding policy insights that suggest divergent developmental pathways.
How Will Geopolitical Risk Play Its Role in the Global Value Chain
Sin-Som (Sergio) Tsiong, Lin Sun
The World Economy. 2026. 1st author Corr. author
The construction of the Global Value Chain (GVC) has benefited the global economy. However, while geopolitical risk has been believed to affect trade and investment volumes, does it truly impact countries’ integration into the Global Value Chain? In this article, we develop a theoretical framework to explore the impact of geopolitical risk on GVC participation and how “internal” and “external” forces will moderate it. Then, we construct the geopolitical risk index by applying the bipartite network with a combination of the Fitness and Complexity (FC) algorithm and Matrix-Estimation exercise. Based on this, the article conducts empirical studies using data encompassing 77 countries from 1995 to 2020. The results show that geopolitical risk indeed hinders the enhancement of GVC participation, but financing convenience actually alleviates such hindrance; meanwhile, political alignment and media attention, as external forces, moderate the negative impact of geopolitical risk on GVC participation, both directly by affecting the geopolitical risk, or by indirectly influencing the alleviating role of financing convenience.
How Will Geopolitical Risk Play Its Role in the Global Value Chain
Sin-Som (Sergio) Tsiong, Lin Sun
The World Economy 2026. 1st author Corr. author
The construction of the Global Value Chain (GVC) has benefited the global economy. However, while geopolitical risk has been believed to affect trade and investment volumes, does it truly impact countries’ integration into the Global Value Chain? In this article, we develop a theoretical framework to explore the impact of geopolitical risk on GVC participation and how “internal” and “external” forces will moderate it. Then, we construct the geopolitical risk index by applying the bipartite network with a combination of the Fitness and Complexity (FC) algorithm and Matrix-Estimation exercise. Based on this, the article conducts empirical studies using data encompassing 77 countries from 1995 to 2020. The results show that geopolitical risk indeed hinders the enhancement of GVC participation, but financing convenience actually alleviates such hindrance; meanwhile, political alignment and media attention, as external forces, moderate the negative impact of geopolitical risk on GVC participation, both directly by affecting the geopolitical risk, or by indirectly influencing the alleviating role of financing convenience.
Is productive service intermediate input a good instrument for enhancing the Global Value Chain participation?
Sin-Som Sergio Tsiong, Hongsong Liu
Structural Change and Economic Dynamics. Vol.75, 2025: 638-653. 1st author
Globalization has closely interconnected the production systems of various countries, and gaining a superiority in the Global Value Chain (GVC) has become a strategic imperative for many countries. Warrant attention, the service-based economy has been playing a pivotal role in optimizing and upgrading the GVC. Consequently, based on a sample that consists of 77 countries from 1995 to 2020, this article investigates the promoting effect of productive service intermediate input (PSII) on GVC participation. The findings are consistent with our expectations and are supported by a series of robustness checks and endogeneity handling. Heterogeneity analyses provide partial support for a geographic pattern linking PSII to GVC participation. Mediation analyses confirm that PSII enhances GVC participation through manufacturing servitization, financing constraint alleviation, and efficiency improvements. Finally, moderation analysis indicates that PSII exhibits a “substitution” effect vis-à-vis innovation capacity, implying a more feasible pathway for less developed countries to industrial upgrading.
Is productive service intermediate input a good instrument for enhancing the Global Value Chain participation?
Sin-Som Sergio Tsiong, Hongsong Liu
Structural Change and Economic Dynamics 2025: 1st author
Globalization has closely interconnected the production systems of various countries, and gaining a superiority in the Global Value Chain (GVC) has become a strategic imperative for many countries. Warrant attention, the service-based economy has been playing a pivotal role in optimizing and upgrading the GVC. Consequently, based on a sample that consists of 77 countries from 1995 to 2020, this article investigates the promoting effect of productive service intermediate input (PSII) on GVC participation. The findings are consistent with our expectations and are supported by a series of robustness checks and endogeneity handling. Heterogeneity analyses provide partial support for a geographic pattern linking PSII to GVC participation. Mediation analyses confirm that PSII enhances GVC participation through manufacturing servitization, financing constraint alleviation, and efficiency improvements. Finally, moderation analysis indicates that PSII exhibits a “substitution” effect vis-à-vis innovation capacity, implying a more feasible pathway for less developed countries to industrial upgrading.
Knowledge complexity based on coupled equations within the bipartite network
Shenshen Sergio Zhang
Information Sciences. Vol.677, 2024: 120937. 1st author Corr. author
In the era of competing for core competence, the increasing inputs of knowledge factors have brought the issue of “efficiency-enhancing and quality-improving” into focus; and concerns about the “quality” perspective of knowledge require mining information related to complex knowledge hidden in the economic system. In order to quantify knowledge complexity at both the national (or regional) and technological levels, this article combines the Fitness and Complexity algorithm with matrix-estimation exercises based on the framework of the bipartite network. On the basis of these measurements, this article analyzes and discusses the economic implications and evolutionary features while considering the “expiration” of patents; additionally, community detection is conducted to discuss the evolution of the “location” of complex knowledge. The results show that knowledge complexity depends on the structural similarity and specialization of patents; furthermore, the timeliness of patents may affect knowledge complexity conspicuously; moreover, the significance of the “location” of complex knowledge in the past has been downplayed over the past few decades.
Knowledge complexity based on coupled equations within the bipartite network
Shenshen Sergio Zhang
Information Sciences 2024: 1st author Corr. author
In the era of competing for core competence, the increasing inputs of knowledge factors have brought the issue of “efficiency-enhancing and quality-improving” into focus; and concerns about the “quality” perspective of knowledge require mining information related to complex knowledge hidden in the economic system. In order to quantify knowledge complexity at both the national (or regional) and technological levels, this article combines the Fitness and Complexity algorithm with matrix-estimation exercises based on the framework of the bipartite network. On the basis of these measurements, this article analyzes and discusses the economic implications and evolutionary features while considering the “expiration” of patents; additionally, community detection is conducted to discuss the evolution of the “location” of complex knowledge. The results show that knowledge complexity depends on the structural similarity and specialization of patents; furthermore, the timeliness of patents may affect knowledge complexity conspicuously; moreover, the significance of the “location” of complex knowledge in the past has been downplayed over the past few decades.