Core Insights - The research results indicate that the top 100 counties (cities, districts) contribute 20.79% of the national GDP and 8.05% of the general public budget revenue, showcasing their significant economic impact [1] - The comprehensive strength index for small and medium-sized cities is 77.5, reflecting strong development resilience, while the investment potential index stands at 87.1, indicating a continuous enhancement of the industrial "ballast" effect [1] - The green development index for small and medium-sized cities is 70.9, suggesting ongoing ecological benefits being released [1] Economic Development - The comprehensive strength index is divided into five primary indicators: economic development, innovation-driven, ecological environment, urban-rural development, and social harmony [1] - Zhengzhou has three counties (cities) listed in the top 100 comprehensive strength counties, with Xinzheng ranked 35th, Gongyi 49th, and Xingyang 60th [1] Green Development - The green development index includes four primary indicators: resource conservation, green consumption, pollution control, and environmental quality [2] - Zhengzhou's three counties (cities) are ranked in the top 100 green development counties, with Xinzheng at 72nd, Gongyi at 81st, and Xingyang at 83rd [2] Investment Potential - The investment potential index quantifies urban location endowments, factor efficiency, growth momentum, and sustainability, providing a scientific basis for investors and local governments [2] - Zhengzhou has three counties (cities) in the top 100 investment potential counties, with Xingyang at 24th, Gongyi at 29th, and Zhongmou at 64th [2] Technological Innovation - The technological innovation index covers a four-dimensional evaluation system, measuring the maturity of the innovation ecosystem in small and medium-sized cities [3] - Zhengzhou has two counties (cities) in the top 100 technological innovation counties, with Xinzheng at 43rd and Xingyang at 64th [3] Urbanization Quality - The new urbanization quality index includes four primary indicators: urban development, public services, infrastructure, and environmental quality [3] - Zhengzhou has three counties (cities) in the top 100 new urbanization quality counties, with Gongyi at 38th, Xinzheng at 51st, and Xingyang at 70th [3]

Core Insights - The research group has developed a comprehensive index system to evaluate the high-quality development of small and medium-sized cities in China, focusing on various dimensions such as economic strength, green development, investment potential, and technological innovation [1][3][5] Group 1: Definition and Scope of Small and Medium-Sized Cities - Small and medium-sized cities are defined as urban areas with a permanent population of over 100,000 and relatively independent municipal facilities, with over 2,650 cities identified in China by the end of 2024 [1] - Among these, there are approximately 2,554 small and medium-sized cities, including various administrative divisions such as county-level cities and towns [1] Group 2: Research Subjects - The evaluation focuses on county-level cities, counties, and relatively independent urban districts, excluding the four direct-controlled municipalities [2] Group 3: Evaluation System and Results - The comprehensive strength index for small and medium-sized cities includes five primary indicators: economic development, innovation drive, ecological environment, urban-rural development, and social harmony, with a total score of 77.5 for 2024, indicating strong resilience [3] - The top 100 counties and cities represent 1.79% of the national land area, housing 6.52% of the population and contributing 9.66% of the national economic total, with a per capita GDP of 142,100 yuan, 1.48 times the national average [3] Group 4: Regional Distribution - The top 100 counties are predominantly located in the eastern region, with Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong provinces holding the majority of the rankings [3][4] - The central region has 19 representatives, with Henan and Anhui showing notable performance, while the western region has 9, and the northeast has 2 [4] Group 5: Towns' Comprehensive Strength Index - The comprehensive strength index for towns is set at 65.7 for 2024, with the eastern region leading with 790 representatives, particularly in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong [5][6] - The top towns cover an area of 118,500 square kilometers, housing approximately 92.6 million residents, and contributing significantly to the national industrial economy [6] Group 6: Future Reports - The 2025 report will include rankings for various categories such as comprehensive strength, green development, investment potential, and technological innovation, available in the "China Small and Medium-Sized Cities Development Report (2025)" [6]