NLT(SZ:300778) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-27 13:11Core Insights - In 2024, Chengdu and Chongqing are recognized as the leading cities in Western China, with Chengdu maintaining its position as the top new first-tier city and Chongqing ranking third [1][6] - The construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle has revitalized the development of Western China, creating a "one body, two cores, multiple points" structure that accelerates regional economic growth [3][6] - The GDP total and growth rates of the Chengdu-Chongqing region indicate significant economic strength, suggesting that if the two cities had remained unified, their economic power would be even more formidable [3][6] Economic Development - The rise of cities like Suzhou, Wuxi, and Dongguan provides new examples of urban development, successfully entering the second-tier city ranks and exerting pressure on traditional provincial capitals like Shenyang and Harbin [3][5] - The success of these second-tier cities is attributed not only to overall economic growth but also to advancements in new economies and high-tech industries [5][6] - Conversely, the absence of cities like Urumqi, Hohhot, and Yinchuan from the third-tier city rankings highlights a significant development gap compared to coastal regions, indicating a need for more policy support and resource investment [5][6] Urban Development Landscape - The overall urban development in China in 2024 is characterized by diversification, with Chengdu and Chongqing setting benchmarks for Western development and motivating other cities [6] - The emergence of second-tier cities and the relative lag of some third-tier cities underscore the ongoing challenges in China's urban development journey [6] - The ranking of cities includes first-tier cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, followed by new first-tier cities such as Chengdu and Chongqing, and a list of second-tier cities that reflects the evolving urban landscape [7]