Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the unique charm and potential of Wuhai, a lesser-known tourist city in Inner Mongolia, emphasizing its natural beauty, cultural richness, and emerging economic opportunities in the food sector [1][2][3]. Geographical and Natural Features - Wuhai is characterized by its unique geographical layout, surrounded by three major deserts and blessed with abundant water resources, earning it the titles of "Desert Oasis" and "New City on Water" [2][3]. - The Wuhai Lake, a significant water body formed from the Yellow River, spans 118 square kilometers, equivalent to 18 West Lakes, and is a central feature of the city's romantic landscape [3][4]. Cultural and Culinary Diversity - As a city with a rich history of immigration, Wuhai showcases a blend of diverse cultures and beliefs, exemplified by landmarks like the "Little Potala Palace," which reflects Tibetan architectural influence [4]. - The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's history of nomadic tribes, with lamb dishes being a staple, prepared in a way that emphasizes freshness and robust flavors [5][6]. Economic Development and Agricultural Innovation - Wuhai, known as "Lion City," has a rich coal resource base that has historically supported its economy, but faces challenges due to resource depletion [7]. - Innovative agricultural practices have emerged, such as cultivating "desert ginseng" (Cistanche) and establishing a significant grape production base of nearly 30,000 acres, making it the largest in Inner Mongolia [7][8]. - The favorable climate conditions in Wuhai allow for the production of high-quality grapes and wine, contributing to the development of a unique "delicious economy" [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of Daqing from a resource-based city to an industrial city, highlighting the role of Volvo's manufacturing plant in this transition and the emergence of a vibrant automotive culture, including a racing town and a thriving used car market [1][11][21]. Group 1: Volvo's Impact on Daqing - Volvo initiated its export plan in April 2017, marking the first time high-end Chinese-made cars were exported to the U.S. [1] - Over 560,000 units of the Volvo S90 have been produced at the Daqing plant since its establishment, contributing significantly to the local economy [1][4]. - The Daqing plant has a designed capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year and has become a key player in the local automotive industry, accounting for 34.4% of the local industrial revenue in 2024 [4][9]. Group 2: Economic Transition and Challenges - Daqing's economy faced a significant downturn in 2015 due to reliance on oil, with a GDP drop of 849.1 billion yuan [6]. - The city's GDP began to recover after Volvo's establishment, reaching 281.58 billion yuan in 2024 [6][10]. - Global challenges such as overcapacity in the automotive industry and competition from electric vehicle manufacturers have impacted Volvo's performance, with a 6% decline in global sales in Q1 2025 [12]. Group 3: Racing Town and Cultural Development - Daqing has developed a racing town that has become a new cultural landmark, featuring extensive racing facilities and hosting numerous automotive events [17][20]. - The racing town has seen nearly 600,000 used cars traded, generating a transaction volume of 35.5 billion yuan by the end of 2024 [20]. - The integration of racing culture and the used car market has revitalized Daqing's economy, attracting automotive enthusiasts from across the country [18][22]. Group 4: Future Directions and Opportunities - Experts suggest that Daqing should leverage its unique resources and cultural heritage to attract tourism and diversify its economy [23][24]. - The proximity to Harbin presents an opportunity for Daqing to enhance its tourism appeal by complementing Harbin's winter tourism with its own industrial and cultural offerings [23][24]. - The city aims to explore new energy solutions, such as hydrogen fuel vehicles, to transition away from fossil fuels [13].

Group 1: Overview of Daqing's Automotive Industry Transformation - Daqing's automotive industry has entered a 2.0 era, marked by the production and export of high-end vehicles like the Volvo S90, which signifies a shift from a resource-based economy to a global industrial city [1][4][13] - Since the establishment of the Volvo factory in Daqing, over 560,000 vehicles have been produced, contributing significantly to the local economy and marking Daqing as a key player in the global automotive market [1][7][13] - The local government has played a crucial role in facilitating the establishment of the Volvo factory, which has helped Daqing explore a second growth curve after a decline in GDP due to over-reliance on oil [9][13] Group 2: Economic Impact and Growth Metrics - In 2024, Daqing's automotive industry achieved revenues of 37.37 billion yuan, accounting for 34.4% of the local industrial total, with the Volvo factory producing 83,400 vehicles, representing over 80% of the province's automotive output [13][14] - The GDP of Daqing has shown recovery, increasing from a low of 208 billion yuan in 2016 to 281.58 billion yuan in 2024, indicating a positive trend in economic diversification [8][13] Group 3: Challenges and Global Context - The global automotive industry faces significant challenges, including overcapacity and competition from electric vehicle manufacturers, which have impacted Volvo's sales and profitability [14] - In 2024, Volvo's net sales decreased to 52.68 billion Swedish Krona, with a decline in adjusted operating profit and a 6% drop in global sales in the first quarter of 2025 [14] Group 4: Cultural and Tourism Development - Daqing is developing a "Racing Town" that has become a new cultural and economic hub, featuring extensive motorsport facilities and attracting automotive enthusiasts [16][20][23] - The Racing Town has recorded nearly 600,000 used car transactions, generating a transaction volume of 35.5 billion yuan, and is recognized as the largest used car market in Northeast China [23] Group 5: Future Prospects and Strategic Directions - Daqing's transformation strategy includes leveraging its unique cultural heritage and geographical proximity to Harbin to attract tourism and talent, aiming for a more diversified economic base [25][28] - The city is exploring new energy solutions, such as hydrogen fuel vehicles, to transition from fossil fuels and enhance its industrial capabilities [16][28]

Core Viewpoint - Renqiu City is undergoing a significant industrial transformation from a traditional oil-based economy to a more diversified and sustainable model, focusing on new energy and advanced materials, driven by the dual carbon goals and digital transformation initiatives [1][2][5]. Group 1: Economic Transformation - Renqiu's GDP is projected to reach 70.22 billion yuan in 2024, with the industrial and service sectors driving growth, as the proportion of the secondary industry decreases from 69.1% in 2011 to 47.2% in 2024, while the tertiary industry increases from 26.6% to 50.7% [2]. - The city is shifting its petrochemical industry from a "fuel-type" to a "material-type" focus, emphasizing green oil products and fine chemicals through integrated refining and extending the industrial chain [2][3]. Group 2: Innovation and Technology - North China Petrochemical is enhancing its research capabilities and focusing on the development of green low-carbon projects, including bio-jet fuel and high-value new materials, with a production target of 1.352 million tons of aviation kerosene in 2024 [3]. - The company is also advancing a 200,000 tons/year carbon capture and utilization project, aiming to establish a benchmark in the carbon capture and utilization sector [3]. Group 3: Digital Transformation - Renqiu is leading in digital transformation, with 1,561 companies adopting cloud technologies, ranking first in Cangzhou, showcasing a commitment to upgrading traditional industries through digital means [7]. - North China Petrochemical is implementing a "smart refining" system and has launched a 5G fully connected factory, which has been recognized in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's 2024 5G factory directory [5][7]. Group 4: Business Environment Improvement - Renqiu has streamlined its business approval processes, reducing the time for enterprise migration from 5 days to 1 day, significantly enhancing the ease of doing business and attracting companies from the Beijing-Tianjin region [8][9]. - The city has implemented a "one-day completion" commitment for approvals, allowing for same-day business registration and operational commencement for migrating companies [9][10].

Core Insights - The "New First-Tier Cities Research Institute" released the "City Charm Rankings" for 2025, highlighting the vibrant development of 90 fourth-tier cities in China [1][3] - Kaifeng ranked fourth among fourth-tier cities, showcasing its strong revival as an ancient capital, while Baotou and Huainan ranked eleventh and sixteenth respectively [1][3] Group 1: City Rankings and Characteristics - Kaifeng's ranking reflects its transformation of historical cultural heritage into new development momentum, supported by tourism and urban integration strategies [3][5] - Baotou, as an industrial center, is undergoing a transformation towards high-value and green industries, with a focus on renewable energy and cross-border trade [7][9] - Huainan is recognized for its clear development path, transitioning from a resource-based economy to include new energy and high-end manufacturing [9][11] Group 2: Development Trends in Fourth-Tier Cities - Fourth-tier cities are seen as the foundational layer of China's urban system, with unique resources being leveraged for development [11][13] - Many cities are actively integrating into core urban areas, enhancing their roles as incubators for local industries and stabilizing employment [13][15] - The diversity and resilience of these cities are crucial for regional coordination and the well-being of millions, indicating their importance in the broader urbanization process [15]

Core Insights - Dongying, a city in Shandong, has the highest per capita GDP in the province at 195,000 yuan in 2024, surpassing Qingdao and Jinan [2] - The city is characterized as a "nothing" city, not being a first-tier, provincial capital, or sub-provincial city, yet it hosts 13 companies in the China Top 500 Enterprises list [2] - Dongying's economy is heavily reliant on the oil industry, with significant contributions from the Shengli Oilfield, which once accounted for nearly 20% of China's onshore crude oil production [3][5] Economic Structure - Dongying's industrial base is primarily supported by the petrochemical sector, with the city's refining capacity representing one-third of Shandong's and one-tenth of the nation's total [3] - In 2024, the city's large-scale chemical enterprises are projected to achieve revenues of 676.45 billion yuan, making up 65.7% of the city's industrial revenue and 25.2% of Shandong's chemical industry revenue [3] Challenges and Opportunities - The city's economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices, as evidenced by a downturn in growth rates and significant losses in 2015 due to low oil prices [3][4] - Dongying is exploring pathways to transform its petrochemical industry by extending the value chain into high-end chemical materials and fine chemicals, aiming to enhance economic resilience [6][7] - Environmental pressures are significant, with the need for sustainable development and ecological protection becoming increasingly critical for the city [8] Broader Economic Context - The city has faced economic adjustments, including a significant revision of its GDP figures following the 2019 economic census, which highlighted the need for accurate economic assessments [4] - Dongying's development strategy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period includes targeted growth in sectors such as petrochemicals, rubber, oil equipment, and biomedicine [7] - The overall quality of urban development should not be measured solely by GDP or per capita GDP, but also by factors such as resident happiness, public service levels, and ecological quality [9]

Core Insights - The transformation of Yumen from a traditional oil city to a hub for renewable energy showcases a successful model for resource-based cities transitioning to sustainable energy sources [1][5] - Yumen has developed a multi-energy complementary industrial cluster worth hundreds of billions, integrating wind, solar, water, hydrogen, and storage technologies [1][3] Group 1: Energy Development - The introduction of wind energy in Yumen began in 1997 with a pilot project, leading to large-scale development by 2007 and the establishment of China's first million-kilowatt wind power base [2] - Yumen's average annual wind speed of 7.9 m/s and over 8,000 hours of effective wind time have positioned it as a prime location for wind energy generation [2] - The total investment for the largest industrial project in the province, a silicon-fluorine new materials project, is 41 billion yuan, marking a significant step in the integration of traditional and renewable energy [2] Group 2: Innovation and Technology - Yumen's renewable energy hydrogen production project utilizes photovoltaic energy to produce high-purity hydrogen, creating a new paradigm of energy integration [3] - The intelligent control center at Yumen's wind power base monitors the operation of 300 wind turbines, leveraging big data for enhanced energy management [3] - By the end of 2024, Yumen's total installed power capacity is expected to reach 7.239 million kilowatts, generating a cumulative 760 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity [3] Group 3: Socioeconomic Impact - The wind and solar energy industries in Yumen have created approximately 12,000 local jobs, with wind energy becoming a popular subject in vocational education [4] - Yumen has received multiple accolades, including "National Green Energy Demonstration County" and "Top 100 New Energy Counties in China," reflecting its commitment to sustainable development [3][4] - The city has transformed into a livable new urban area, recognized as a "National Garden City" and "National Civilized City," highlighting its successful urban development [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - Shanxi Jincheng is transforming from a resource-based city to a technology-driven economy, with the optical and mechanical industry projected to exceed 70 billion yuan in annual output by 2024, marking it as the fastest-growing emerging industry in the city [1][3]. Group 1: Industry Development - Jincheng has established a "1+130" industrial cluster, led by one major enterprise and supported by over 130 companies, covering three major industrial chains: vision systems, new materials, and artificial intelligence [3]. - The city has integrated over 10 vocational colleges to form an optical and mechanical vocational education group, providing specialized talent annually [3]. - Jincheng has attracted 7 academicians and 93 doctors to enhance its research capabilities, leveraging local coal and coalbed gas resources to reduce production costs [3]. Group 2: Policy and Investment - The city has introduced 128 policy measures across eight areas, investing nearly 3 billion yuan to address issues like unclear functional positioning and insufficient funding [3]. - In 2024, Jincheng will implement new policies such as "24 measures to promote investment" and "28 risk compensation measures," creating a four-dimensional support system for investment and innovation [3][4]. Group 3: Infrastructure and Logistics - Jincheng has invested 5 billion yuan to improve infrastructure, establishing over 2,000 acres of standard land and 2 million square meters of standard factories to meet ultra-clean production requirements [6]. - The city has developed a comprehensive logistics network, including a "five vertical, four horizontal, and one ring" road system to facilitate transportation [6]. Group 4: Future Goals - Jincheng aims to become a global hub for the optical and mechanical industry, transitioning from coal dependency to a focus on technology, with initiatives in green energy parks and international cooperation [6].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the importance of leveraging technological innovation as a driving force for the transformation and development of resource-based cities like Daye [1][2] - Daye's mining and related industries once contributed over 70% of local tax revenue, but resource depletion has necessitated a shift towards new development paths [1] - The city is focusing on technological advancements to enhance resource value, moving from raw material sales to high-end product processing, significantly increasing product prices from 400 yuan per ton to over 13,000 yuan per ton [2] Group 2 - The strategy includes extending and strengthening industrial chains by connecting with external resources, such as the electronic information industry park in Daye that supports Wuhan's trillion-yuan industrial cluster [2] - Advanced technologies are being utilized to repurpose abandoned mines into energy storage facilities, showcasing the potential for resource regeneration [3] - The shift from selling resources to selling technology and from underground mining to intelligent applications represents a new beginning for development, indicating that resource depletion can lead to new opportunities [3]

以下文章来源于前瞻经济学人 ，作者产业观察组 作者： 产业观察组 来源： 前瞻经济学人 （ID： chanyeqianzhan ） 西北，迎来大逆转！ 01 四线小城彻底爆发 最近，各省市陆续公布2024年前三季度GDP，西北有两座城市的表现堪称爆炸性增长，双双跑出两位数的 经济增速。 一座是煤炭大市—— 陕西榆林 ，另一座是中国镍都—— 甘肃金昌。 根据榆林官方公布的数据：2024年前三季度，该市地区生产总值5742.95亿元，按不变价格计算，同比增长 5.7%。 前瞻经济学人 . 关注中国城市发展战略、把握全球新兴产业趋势！这是省长书记爱看的智库号之一。 乍一看这个数据并没有特别亮眼，但是前瞻经济学人产业观察组通过细致研究，发现背后有两个非常惊艳 的地方。 第一，榆林GDP增量全国第五。 榆林前三季度GDP增量达到862亿元。要知道，整个陕西前三季度增量也不过1089亿，榆林一个城市就贡献 了全省近八成，是省会西安的6倍。 放在全国来看，862亿元的增量仅次于上海、北京、深圳和重庆，位居全国第五，将广州、杭州、苏州、武 汉等一众万亿城市甩在身后。 | | | 2024年前三季度GDP增量十强城市(亿元) ...