Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the development of a flow-based economy in various regions of China, emphasizing the importance of utilizing network traffic to boost local cultural and tourism development, while also highlighting the need for high-quality growth through the effective movement of various resources [1][2]. Group 1: Flow Economy - The concept of "flow" encompasses not only internet traffic but also the movement of capital, goods, technology, and talent [1]. - Shanghai aims to develop a flow-based economy to enhance the high-frequency movement and high-value addition of various elements [1]. Group 2: Regional Development Strategies - Different regions have unique resource endowments, and the key is to leverage their advantages to promote the gathering and integration of various elements, thereby unleashing new development momentum [1]. - Harbin in Heilongjiang is innovating in cultural and tourism integration to break the seasonal limitations of its tourism [1]. - Zibo in Shandong is transforming its service experience from the "barbecue special class" into practical measures to optimize the business environment [1]. Group 3: Quality of Development - The emphasis on "quantity" also signifies a focus on high quality, indicating that the transformation from quantitative changes to qualitative improvements is essential for sustainable development [1][2].

Core Insights - The article discusses the transformation of the city of Zibo from a "viral city" driven by its barbecue culture to a more sustainable and diversified urban identity, focusing on long-term development strategies rather than short-term trends [2][20]. Group 1: Zibo's Viral Phenomenon - Zibo became a phenomenon in early 2023 due to its barbecue culture, attracting significant attention and visitors [2][5]. - The city has experienced fluctuations in its popularity, with discussions about its status as a "viral city" becoming common [2][6]. - Despite concerns about declining interest, Zibo has maintained a steady flow of visitors during peak seasons, indicating a resilient tourism sector [5][11]. Group 2: Strategic Shift in Development - Zibo's government has shifted its focus from short-term viral trends to long-term industrial and cultural development, emphasizing "new quality productivity" and manufacturing upgrades [2][10]. - The city has established a "high-quality development command" to enhance its cultural and tourism sectors, reflecting a strategic pivot from merely capitalizing on barbecue fame to fostering a broader cultural identity [9][10]. - The local government aims to transform the influx of visitors into sustained interest in the city's diverse offerings, moving beyond the barbecue label [11][12]. Group 3: Economic Impact and Growth - In 2023, Zibo's retail sales of consumer goods increased by 9.6%, with significant growth in the accommodation and catering sectors, indicating a positive economic impact from the viral phenomenon [6][10]. - The city has set ambitious tourism goals, aiming to attract 65 million visitors and achieve over 64 billion yuan in tourism revenue by 2026 [10][18]. - Zibo's industrial transformation is evident, with the contribution of its four key industries rising from 48.9% to 59.8% of the city's industrial output from 2021 to 2024 [17][18]. Group 4: Talent Attraction and Future Prospects - Zibo has implemented policies to attract young talent, successfully bringing in over 40,000 graduates annually, which supports its industrial and economic transformation [18][19]. - The city has established a clear development goal to achieve a GDP of over 700 billion yuan and to join the "trillion GDP club" within the next decade [19][20]. - Zibo's approach to leveraging its viral status as a catalyst for broader economic and cultural development serves as a model for other cities [20][21].

Core Insights - The article discusses the transformation of the city of Zibo from a traditional industrial base to a "internet celebrity city" driven by the popularity of its barbecue culture, highlighting the strategic shift in its development focus from short-term tourism to long-term industrial growth [2][12][25] Tourism and Cultural Development - Zibo became a phenomenon in early 2023 due to its barbecue offerings, leading to a surge in tourism and consumer spending, with retail sales increasing by 9.6% year-on-year, surpassing provincial and national averages [5][9] - The city is now working to diversify its tourism offerings beyond barbecue, aiming to enhance its cultural and tourism brand through various events and attractions [8][9][11] - Zibo's government has shifted its focus from managing the barbecue craze to promoting high-quality development in the cultural and tourism sectors, indicating a strategic transition [9][12] Economic and Industrial Transformation - Zibo is leveraging its industrial heritage to develop a robust food processing and logistics sector, aiming to become a hub for pre-prepared food production, targeting a billion-level industry cluster [16][20] - The city is also focusing on upgrading its traditional industries and fostering new sectors such as hydrogen energy, robotics, and electronic information, with the goal of increasing the proportion of its "four strong" industries in the overall industrial output [18][19] - Zibo's government has implemented policies to attract talent, successfully bringing in over 40,000 graduates annually, which is crucial for its industrial transformation [20][21] Strategic Insights - The article emphasizes Zibo's strategic clarity in maintaining its focus on industrial upgrades while utilizing the influx of tourism as a catalyst for broader economic development [22][23] - Zibo's approach to managing the "internet celebrity" phenomenon is characterized by a commitment to enhancing public services and urban governance, ensuring that the benefits of increased visibility translate into sustainable growth [23][25] - The city's long-term vision includes ambitious economic targets, such as achieving a GDP of over 700 billion yuan and a total industrial output exceeding one trillion yuan within the next decade [20][22]

Core Insights - The article discusses the transformation of Tianshui into a "internet celebrity city" driven by the popularity of its local dish, spicy hot pot, during the 2024 Spring Festival, highlighting the city's cultural and tourism revival [4][18][20]. Group 1: Tourism and Economic Impact - During the National Day holiday, Tianshui received a significant influx of tourists, with the local hot pot shop experiencing long queues and increased demand for local products [6][7][16]. - Tianshui's tourism revenue reached 38.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth exceeding 23%, and the city welcomed 59.5 million visitors [18][21]. - The local government has established a long-term mechanism to manage tourism, focusing on food safety, service quality, and infrastructure improvements [17][20]. Group 2: Cultural and Culinary Development - Tianshui's spicy hot pot, made with locally sourced ingredients, has gained national recognition, leading to a surge in the number of hot pot shops, which increased fivefold to around 1,400 [8][11]. - The city is actively promoting its cultural heritage and local cuisine, aiming to elevate spicy hot pot to a symbol of Tianshui, similar to other regional dishes like Chongqing hot pot [10][20]. - Tianshui has initiated efforts to standardize and industrialize its hot pot products, including the establishment of an industry association to support local businesses [10][21]. Group 3: Investment and Business Opportunities - The rise in Tianshui's profile has attracted significant investment interest, with 29 tourism projects signed during a recent promotional event, totaling 1.722 billion yuan [21][22]. - The local government is leveraging the increased visibility to enhance its business environment, focusing on key industries such as integrated circuits and artificial intelligence [21][23]. - Tianshui's transformation from a lesser-known city to a recognized destination has created new opportunities for local businesses and investors [23].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of Tianshui into a "net celebrity city" driven by the popularity of its local dish, spicy hot pot, and explores the long-term effects of this phenomenon on the city's tourism and economy [4][15][20]. Group 1: Tourism and Economic Impact - During the National Day holiday, Tianshui experienced a surge in tourism, with significant visitor numbers and a notable increase in local business activity [4][15]. - Tianshui's tourism revenue reached 38.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth exceeding 23% [15]. - The city has seen a shift in its visitor demographic, attracting tourists from eastern and coastal cities, indicating a broader appeal beyond its immediate region [14]. Group 2: Local Business Development - The number of spicy hot pot restaurants in Tianshui has increased fivefold to approximately 1,400 since the dish gained popularity [7]. - Local entrepreneurs have capitalized on the trend, with many businesses pivoting to offer spicy hot pot, leading to a wave of new startups [7][9]. - Tianshui is working to enhance its brand recognition by applying for national culinary designations and establishing a collective trademark for its spicy hot pot [9][10]. Group 3: Government and Community Response - The local government has implemented a long-term management strategy to maintain the influx of tourists, focusing on food safety, service quality, and infrastructure improvements [14][15]. - Community initiatives, including volunteer support and enhanced transportation services, have been established to ensure a positive experience for visitors [13][14]. - Tianshui's government has actively engaged in promoting its cultural heritage and tourism resources, organizing events and developing unique travel products [16][18]. Group 4: Future Prospects and Investments - Tianshui has successfully signed 29 tourism-related projects, with 20 of them located in the city, totaling an investment of 1.722 billion yuan [18]. - The city is leveraging its historical and cultural assets to attract further investment, with a focus on enhancing its industrial base and improving the business environment [19][20]. - Tianshui aims to transition from a temporary surge in popularity to sustainable growth by fostering a robust tourism and culinary industry [20].

Core Viewpoint - The recent crackdown on influential internet celebrities in China highlights a significant shift in regulatory measures aimed at curbing controversial content and behavior that crosses legal and ethical boundaries [14][15]. Group 1: Recent Events - In September, three prominent internet celebrities with millions of followers were banned from platforms due to violations, including inappropriate content and controversial statements [1][6]. - Notable figures include "Gazi" Xie Mengwei, who was banned for wearing a police uniform during a commercial livestream, and Zhang Xuefeng, who faced backlash for derogatory comments about education [1][14]. - The trend extends to other influencers with smaller followings, indicating a broader issue within the influencer community [9]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - The Chinese government has intensified scrutiny over internet celebrities since 2025, with a nationwide campaign launched in September to address negative emotional manipulation and divisive rhetoric [14][15]. - The campaign aims to mitigate issues such as inciting extreme group emotions, stigmatization, and promoting negative sentiments [15]. Group 3: Social Response - Public tolerance for controversial influencers has decreased, as evidenced by social media reactions to bans, suggesting a shift towards valuing authentic and responsible content [15]. - The backlash against influencers who exploit anxiety and sensationalism reflects a growing demand for genuine and valuable information among users [15]. Group 4: Implications for the Industry - The recent regulatory actions signal that success in the influencer economy must be grounded in legal, ethical, and responsible practices, rather than sensationalism [15]. - The evolving landscape suggests that future content creators will need to adapt to these changes by prioritizing sincerity and accountability to maintain their audience and relevance [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of developing regional comparative advantages through four key aspects: location advantages, institutional advantages, market advantages, and brand advantages, which are essential for high-quality economic development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period [7][8][26]. Group 1: Location Advantages - The concept of location advantages has expanded significantly with the rapid development of the flow economy and regional strategies, focusing on how to leverage urban clusters and innovate development paths along coastal, border, river, and belt areas [8][12]. - Cities should integrate their development into urban clusters and align regional development plans with urban cluster strategies, enhancing transportation connectivity and filling functional gaps left by core cities [10][11]. - The flow economy has redefined location advantages, making flow (people, logistics, capital, information, and data) a critical factor in assessing urban attractiveness [12][13]. Group 2: Institutional Advantages - Institutional advantages are crucial for regional competitiveness and should focus on creating a market-oriented, rule-of-law, and international business environment while supporting the digital economy [15][16]. - There is a need for substantial improvements in the business environment, emphasizing the reduction of comprehensive costs for enterprises and enhancing the soft environment for business operations [16][17]. - Local governments should create favorable conditions for new economies and new business models, ensuring that the regulatory framework aligns with the needs of emerging industries [18][19]. Group 3: Market Advantages - Market advantages are seen as the core engine for activating regional economic momentum, with a focus on expanding consumption markets and enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation [20][21]. - The article suggests that local governments should prioritize expanding consumption markets and leveraging local ecological and cultural resources to create unique consumption markets [21][22]. - Further market-oriented reforms are necessary to activate local factor markets, including optimizing the use of traditional and new factors, and enhancing the role of talent in driving economic growth [23][24][25]. Group 4: Brand Advantages - City branding is essential for enhancing urban image and attracting suitable industries, talent, and capital, with a focus on creating unique and recognizable city identities [26][27]. - Local governments should deeply explore and creatively transform local cultural genes to develop differentiated city brands that resonate with contemporary audiences [28][29]. - Continuous efforts in brand promotion and management are necessary to ensure that cities maintain their attractiveness and competitiveness in the long term [30][31][32].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of developing regional comparative advantages through four key aspects: location advantages, institutional advantages, market advantages, and brand advantages, which are essential for high-quality economic development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period [6][31]. Group 1: Location Advantages - Location advantages have evolved significantly with the rise of the flow economy, necessitating cities to leverage urban clusters and innovate development paths along coastal, border, river, and belt areas [7][10]. - Cities should integrate their development into urban clusters, aligning local plans with regional strategies to enhance connectivity and fill functional gaps left by core cities [8][9]. - The concept of location advantages should shift from traditional geographical perspectives to focus on flow economy opportunities, assessing the ability to attract people, goods, capital, and data [10][11]. Group 2: Institutional Advantages - Institutional advantages are crucial for enhancing regional competitiveness, focusing on creating a market-oriented, rule-of-law, and international business environment [12]. - There is a need for substantial improvements in the business environment, emphasizing real cost reductions for enterprises and fostering a culture of integrity and legal compliance [13][14]. - Local governments should adapt to the digital economy by enhancing digital governance and streamlining processes to reduce bureaucratic burdens on businesses [15][16]. Group 3: Market Advantages - Market advantages are vital for activating regional economic momentum, with a focus on expanding consumption markets and enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation [19][20]. - Local plans should prioritize the expansion of consumption markets, leveraging digital networks to connect urban and rural areas effectively [20][21]. - There is a call for further market-oriented reforms to optimize the utilization of traditional and new factors of production, including land and data [22][23]. Group 4: Brand Advantages - City branding is essential for enhancing urban attractiveness and should be systematically developed to reflect unique local values and cultural heritage [26][27]. - Local governments are encouraged to create distinctive city brands by leveraging cultural assets and integrating them with industrial characteristics [28][29]. - Continuous efforts in brand promotion and management are necessary to transform temporary popularity into lasting brand equity [30][31].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of developing regional comparative advantages through four key aspects: location advantages, institutional advantages, market advantages, and brand advantages, which are essential for high-quality economic development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period [4][6][31]. Group 1: Location Advantages - Location advantages have evolved significantly with the rise of the flow economy, necessitating cities to leverage their roles within urban clusters and innovate development paths along coastal, border, river, and belt areas [7][10]. - Cities should integrate their development into urban clusters, aligning local plans with regional strategies to enhance connectivity and fill functional gaps left by core cities [8][9]. - The concept of location advantages should shift from traditional geographical perspectives to focus on flow economy opportunities, assessing the ability to attract human, logistics, financial, and data flows [10][11]. Group 2: Institutional Advantages - Institutional advantages are crucial for enhancing regional competitiveness, focusing on creating a market-oriented, rule-of-law, and international business environment [12][13]. - There is a need for substantial improvements in the business environment, emphasizing real cost reductions for enterprises and fostering a culture of integrity and legal compliance [13][14]. - Local governments should adapt to the digital economy by enhancing digital governance and streamlining processes to reduce bureaucratic burdens on businesses [15][16]. Group 3: Market Advantages - Market advantages are vital for activating regional economic momentum, with a focus on expanding consumption markets and enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation [19][20]. - Local plans should prioritize the expansion of consumption markets, leveraging digital networks to connect urban and rural areas effectively [20][21]. - There is a call for further market-oriented reforms to optimize the utilization of production factors, including land and data, to support industrial development [22][23]. Group 4: Brand Advantages - City branding is essential for enhancing urban attractiveness and should be systematically developed to reflect unique local values and cultural heritage [26][27]. - Local governments are encouraged to create distinctive city identities by leveraging cultural resources and integrating them into public spaces and experiences [27][28]. - A sustainable approach to brand management is necessary, focusing on long-term strategies that convert temporary popularity into lasting brand equity [30][31].

Group 1: Core Viewpoints - The article emphasizes the importance of cultivating regional comparative advantages through four key aspects: location advantages, institutional advantages, market advantages, and brand advantages [1][24] - It suggests that the "14th Five-Year Plan" should focus on identifying, nurturing, and promoting local advantages to enhance regional competitiveness and economic quality [1][24] Group 2: Location Advantages - Location advantages have expanded significantly with the rapid development of the flow economy and regional strategies, necessitating cities to leverage urban clusters and innovate development paths [2][4] - Cities should integrate their development into urban clusters and enhance transportation connectivity to improve regional economic efficiency [3][4] Group 3: Institutional Advantages - Institutional advantages are crucial for regional competition and should focus on creating a market-oriented, law-based, and international business environment [6][7] - The article highlights the need for substantial improvements in the business environment to lower costs for enterprises and enhance their competitiveness [7][9] Group 4: Market Advantages - Market advantages are identified as the core engine for activating regional economic momentum, with a focus on expanding consumption markets and promoting the integration of various market elements [13][14] - The article stresses the importance of leveraging local characteristics to develop unique consumption markets and enhance regional economic vitality [15][16] Group 5: Brand Advantages - Brand advantages are essential for enhancing city image and attracting industries, talent, and capital [19][20] - The article recommends a systematic approach to brand building, focusing on unique cultural elements and integrating them with local industries to create distinctive city brands [20][21] Group 6: Overall Strategy - The article concludes that fostering regional comparative advantages is vital for addressing chaotic competition and guiding differentiated regional development [24]