Group 1 - The central government has released a significant policy document titled "Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Urban Development," which outlines 23 specific measures across 9 areas to guide urban development towards modernization by 2030 and 2035 [1][2] - By 2030, the goals include significant progress in building modern urban environments, improving living quality, enhancing green transformation, and increasing governance levels [1][2] - The number of cities in China's "trillion-dollar club" has increased from 3 in 2010 to 27 in 2023, indicating substantial economic growth in urban areas [3] Group 2 - There is a notable shrinkage in smaller cities, with the number of small cities decreasing from 493 to 466 between 2010 and 2020, and their population share dropping from 26% to 23% [4] - The central urban work conference emphasizes optimizing the modern urban system as a key task, addressing the need for better coordination among cities of different sizes [4][5] - The policy document outlines three requirements for optimizing the urban system, including promoting integration of urban clusters, enhancing the competitiveness of mega cities, and improving the capacity of small and medium-sized cities [5] Group 3 - The document stresses the importance of enhancing the competitiveness of mega cities while controlling their scale and relieving non-core functions to foster high-quality development [7][8] - As of February 2023, all 22 mega cities have received approval for their spatial planning, with several cities designated as key innovation centers [7] - The need for differentiated development among cities is highlighted, with mega cities playing a crucial role in driving overall urban development and contributing to national modernization [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - The release of the "Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Urban Development" aims to accelerate the transformation of urban development methods and promote high-quality urban growth in China [1][2]. Group 1: Urban Development Transition - China's urbanization is shifting from a rapid growth phase to a stable development phase, with urban development transitioning from large-scale expansion to improving existing stock [2]. - The "Opinions" deepen and implement the spirit of the Central Urban Work Conference, encouraging local governments to adopt tailored measures for urban development [2][3]. Group 2: Modern Urban System Optimization - The first task outlined in the "Opinions" is to optimize the modern urban system, addressing the imbalance caused by the rapid growth of mega-cities [3]. - The current urban system is undergoing significant changes, with urban clusters and metropolitan areas becoming dominant, necessitating timely optimization to prevent long-term structural issues [3][4]. Group 3: Housing and Urban Renewal - The "Opinions" emphasize the integration of "good housing" and urban renewal to create livable cities, which is essential for meeting the public's aspirations for a better life [5][6]. - The construction of "good housing" and the implementation of urban renewal plans are seen as key pillars for enhancing urban living quality and stimulating economic activity [6]. Group 4: Long-term Goals - The "Opinions" set a long-term goal for significant progress in modern urban construction by 2030 and the basic establishment of modern urban areas by 2035, linking urban development with national modernization objectives [7].