中部经济第一省之争：安徽强势崛起，河南拒绝被超越

Core Viewpoint - The economic competition between Hubei and Henan provinces in Central China is intensifying, with Hubei challenging Henan's status as the largest economy in the region. However, recent data shows that the economic gap has widened again, with Henan maintaining its lead as of the third quarter of 2025 [1][3]. Economic Performance Comparison - As of the third quarter of 2025, Henan's economic total reached 48,867.57 billion, while Hubei's was 44,875.62 billion, resulting in a gap of 3,991.95 billion, nearly double the difference from the first half of 2025 [3]. - In industrial performance, Henan's industrial output growth remained above 8%, with a third-quarter increase of 8.4%, compared to Hubei's 7.7% [6]. - In terms of consumer spending, Henan's retail sales growth surpassed Hubei's starting from the second quarter of 2025, with a third-quarter lead of 1 percentage point [6]. Foreign Trade Dynamics - Hubei's foreign trade value exceeded 700 billion in 2024, with a growth rate of 9.6%, leading the central region. In 2025, Hubei continued to show strong growth, with quarterly increases of 16.6%, 28.4%, and 25.3% [7]. - In contrast, while Henan's foreign trade growth was robust in early 2025, it lagged behind Hubei in the second quarter and beyond, with growth rates of 28.0% and 18.7% in the first and third quarters, respectively [7]. Rise of Anhui Province - Anhui province has made significant strides in foreign trade, achieving a total of 8,052.2 billion in 2023, closing the gap with Henan to just 55.7 billion, a recovery of approximately 938 billion from the previous year [9]. - By 2024, Anhui not only surpassed Henan in foreign trade value but also maintained this lead into 2025, showcasing a remarkable transformation from a follower to a leader in the region [11]. Development of "New Coastal" Economic Zones - Central provinces are working to establish "new coastal" economic zones, enhancing their transportation infrastructure and integrating industries with global markets. This initiative aims to reshape the economic landscape of the region [12][14]. - For instance, Hubei has made significant progress in logistics, with its cargo flight volume ranking fourth nationally and a 58% increase in cargo throughput in 2025 [14]. - The rise of electric vehicles and other new products has become a driving force for foreign trade in the central region, with Henan's exports of new products growing by 162.4% in the first three quarters of 2025 [14].