Abstract: Based on the analysis of the theoretical mechanism of the impact of digital economy development on export opening up degree, the relationship between the development of digital economy and export opening up is empirically studied by using the panel data of 31 provincial administrative units (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) in China from 2017 to 2019 Whether the relationship is affected by the heterogeneous factors (such as coastal or not, having free trade zones or not, and the e-commerce level of enterprises) is discussed By using the intermediary model, the path of the impact of digital economy development on export opening up is explored The main conclusions are as follows: the development of digital economy can significantly improve the export opening up, but the relationship is affected by heterogeneous factors, that is, the development of digital economy in coastal provinces and provinces with free trade zones has a greater impact on the export opening up However, the e-commerce level of enterprises weakens the relationship The research on intermediary effect confirms that innovation capacity plays a partial intermediary role between digital economy and export opening up The conclusion provides unique theoretical guidance and reference for the digital economy to promote export opening up.

Key words: digital economy, export opening up, free trade zone, e-commerce level of enterprises, innovation ability