Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the 2025 "New First-tier Cities Charm Ranking," highlighting the top cities and the criteria used for ranking, emphasizing the importance of commercial development and living conditions over GDP alone [1][3][12]. Ranking Overview - The top four cities remain Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, classified as first-tier cities. The new first-tier cities ranked from 5th to 19th include Chengdu, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Suzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Hefei, Qingdao, Dongguan, Ningbo, and Foshan [1]. - Wuxi has dropped to 21st place, while Foshan has risen to 15th place among new first-tier cities [1]. Criticism of the Ranking - Critics argue that the ranking does not accurately reflect economic totality (GDP) or development level (per capita GDP) [2][3]. - The debate around city rankings often involves personal biases, with individuals favoring their hometowns or chosen cities [2]. Understanding the Ranking Criteria - The ranking focuses more on the "city" aspect, particularly the central urban area, rather than the entire city including suburban areas [3][4]. - Cities with larger central urban areas tend to rank higher, as seen with Chengdu, which has a significant population in its central districts [4]. Economic and Demographic Insights - The article compares the GDP and retail sales growth of "high-ranking" and "low-ranking" cities from 2015 to 2024, noting that "high-ranking cities" generally show stronger growth in both GDP and retail sales [9][10]. - The population growth in "high-ranking cities" is significantly higher than in "low-ranking cities," indicating a trend of urban migration towards more vibrant economic centers [10][11]. Conclusion on Investment Potential - The article suggests that the "New First-tier Cities" ranking serves as a leading indicator for future economic performance, with cities that attract more residents likely to perform better in the long run [12]. - For individuals considering relocation or investment, the ranking provides valuable insights into urban dynamics and economic opportunities [12].

Group 1 - The 2025 "New First-tier Cities Charm Ranking" lists Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou as first-tier cities, while Chengdu, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Suzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Hefei, Qingdao, Dongguan, Ningbo, and Foshan are classified as new first-tier cities [1] - Wuxi has dropped to 21st place among all cities, ranking second among second-tier cities, while Foshan has risen to 15th place among new first-tier cities [4] - The ranking has sparked debates online, with critics arguing that it does not accurately reflect economic total (GDP) or the level of development (per capita GDP) of cities [5][6] Group 2 - The "New First-tier Cities" ranking emphasizes the importance of commercial consumption and living conditions over GDP, suggesting that cities with vibrant commercial sectors rank higher [9][10] - The ranking focuses on the central urban areas of cities, which can lead to discrepancies between GDP rankings and the new first-tier cities ranking [8][11] - The data indicators used in the ranking reflect a value system that prioritizes commercial vitality and livability, indicating that cities with strong third industries and attractive living conditions tend to perform better [17][29] Group 3 - A comparison of 18 cities from 2015 to 2024 shows that "high-ranking cities" have outperformed "low-ranking cities" in terms of retail sales, GDP growth, and population increase [19][20][21] - "High-ranking cities" have seen a significant increase in average housing prices compared to "low-ranking cities," indicating stronger market performance [22][23] - The overall performance of "high-ranking cities" in attracting population, capital, and housing prices has been notably superior to that of "low-ranking cities" [24][25] Group 4 - The "New First-tier Cities" ranking serves as a leading indicator, suggesting that cities with higher rankings are more capable of attracting residents and investments [26][28] - The ranking reflects a trend where cities with strong central urban areas and developed third industries have consistently performed better over the years [29]