The digital economy is reshaping regional growth by supplying new momentum and acting as a major driver of high-quality development. This study distinguishes both the direct contribution of the digital economy to regional coordination and its indirect influence through strengthening technological innovation. Using provincial-level data from China covering 2015–2023, the paper conducts empirical analysis with bidirectional fixed-effects models, mediation-effect tests, and geographic detector methods. The findings show that the digital economy significantly enhances high-quality regional economic development, while its impact varies across regions and is especially strong in central, western, and southern China. Technological innovation emerges as a crucial transmission channel, and deeper interregional innovation collaboration further improves coordinated, high-quality development outcomes. Overall, the study offers a new theoretical basis for promoting cross-regional cooperation in the digital economy.
