Abstract: In order to investigate the spatial convergence, state transition rule and innovation in the process of high-quality economic development of urban agglomeration, this paper estimates the high-quality economic development level of urban agglomeration based on entropy method, analyses the spatial σ&β convergence by using spatial lag model, establishes state transition probability matrix based on spatial Markov chain, and finally measures impact of innovation on high-quality development of urban economy based on the spatial panel model. The results show that: (1) The high-quality development level of urban economy is gradually improving, and the development level of “Pearl River Delta” urban agglomeration is higher than that of “Yangtze River Delta” urban agglomeration; (2) The high-quality economic development of the “Pearl River Delta” urban agglomeration presents a negative correlation, and there is σ&β convergence; (3) The high-quality economic development of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration presents a positive correlation, and there is not σ&β convergence; ( 4) The evolution of high-quality economic development state of urban agglomeration has a strong path dependence, and the types of adjacent regions have influence of multiple types; (5) The spatial lag has a negative impact on the high-quality economic development of the “Pearl River Delta” urban agglomeration, and has a positive impact on the “ Yangtze River Delta” urban agglomeration; (6) Innovation investment in urban agglomeration needs to be further optimized, while the level of financial development has a positive impact on it. Main suggestions are as follows: (1) Relevant development policies, systems and strategies should be made from the perspective of urban agglomeration to improve the level of coordinated development of urban agglomeration; (2) According to the features of state transition in different regions, corresponding development strategies should be developed to enhance upward transition probability of high-quality economic development level; (3) The adverse impact of innovation on the high-quality development of urban economy should be reversed, and the supporting role of financial development level on it should be enhanced.

Key words: high-quality development, spatial convergence, dynamic evolution, innovation, spatial Econometrics