中部非省会第一城之争，洛阳“扳回一城”

Economic Overview - In the first three quarters of 2023, Xiangyang achieved a GDP of 435.546 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 4.0%, which is 1.2 percentage points lower than the national average [1][2] - Xiangyang's GDP growth is also below the provincial average of Hubei, which recorded a growth rate of 6.0% [2] Comparative Analysis - In comparison, Luoyang's GDP reached 445.49 billion yuan, growing by 5.8%, surpassing both national and provincial growth rates by 0.6 and 0.2 percentage points respectively [1][2] - Yichang's GDP was 455.328 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 7.0%, exceeding national and provincial averages by 1.8 and 1.0 percentage points [1] Industry Dynamics - The competition for the title of "first non-provincial city" in Central China has intensified, with Luoyang previously leading but being overtaken by Xiangyang in 2022 and subsequently by Yichang in 2023 [1] - The automotive industry, which has historically been a stronghold for Xiangyang, is currently seen as a hindrance to its growth, with experts suggesting that the decline in this sector is difficult to offset with emerging industries [2] Industrial Growth in Luoyang - Luoyang's industrial output value increased by 8.9% year-on-year, with high-tech manufacturing growing by 75.7%, significantly contributing to overall industrial growth [3] - The establishment of CATL's (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) new energy technology company in Luoyang is expected to enhance the local economy, with an anticipated annual output value exceeding 200 billion yuan [3] Future Projections - Both Yichang and Xiangyang are projected to surpass the 600 billion yuan GDP mark in 2024, with Yichang expected to lead with a GDP of 619.112 billion yuan compared to Xiangyang's 610.241 billion yuan [1] - Luoyang aims for a GDP growth rate of 6% and an industrial output growth of 7.5% for the current year [3]