Core Viewpoint - Jilin Province is leveraging innovation and strategic layout to enhance its high-level openness, effectively breaking through the geographical constraints of being an inland region and establishing itself as a vital hub for international trade and logistics [2][4]. Group 1: Infrastructure and Logistics Development - The establishment of the Changchun Xinglong Comprehensive Bonded Zone has created a logistics framework that includes a bonded area, international land port, and an import-export commodity exhibition center, facilitating trade and logistics [4]. - In the first half of 2025, the port's throughput reached 72,912 TEUs, marking a 20.9% year-on-year increase, with sea-rail intermodal transport accounting for 62,843 TEUs, a growth of approximately 36% [4][6]. - The development of multiple international logistics solutions, including China-Europe freight trains and TIR international road transport, is enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of logistics for inland enterprises [6][7]. Group 2: Trade and Economic Growth - The Xinglong Comprehensive Bonded Zone has seen a tenfold increase in import and export volume over the past five years, with projected import and export value reaching 12.05 billion yuan in 2024 [7]. - The China-Europe freight trains are expected to carry goods worth over 2 billion yuan in 2024, significantly boosting trade between Changchun and Europe [6][7]. - The Northeast Asia Cross-Border E-commerce Industrial Park has experienced a remarkable growth in trade volume, increasing from 40 million yuan to over 6 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a growth of over 100 times [15]. Group 3: Consumer Experience and Market Expansion - The Changchun Xinglong Comprehensive Bonded Zone's import commodity exhibition center features over 60,000 products from nearly 60 countries, becoming a key platform for local consumers to access global goods [9][13]. - The cross-border e-commerce model in the Hunchun Northeast Asia International Commodity City allows for a seamless shopping experience, combining online sales with offline experiences, thus enhancing consumer engagement [14][15]. - The introduction of live-streaming e-commerce and training for local influencers is fostering a new trend in retail, promoting both local products and imported goods [15].

Core Viewpoint - The central region of China is experiencing a significant economic development divergence among its six provinces, driven by differences in innovation capacity, industrial structure, and openness levels [1][2][3] Economic Growth Rates - Hubei and Anhui are leading in economic growth, with average GDP growth rates of 5.25% and 4.96% from 2022 to 2024, surpassing the national average by 0.75 and 0.46 percentage points respectively [1] - Henan and Hunan show stable but slowing growth, with projected GDP totals of 6.36 trillion yuan and 5.32 trillion yuan in 2024, ranking first and third in the central region [1] - Shanxi and Jiangxi face significant downward pressure, with Shanxi's average GDP growth at 3.87% and Jiangxi experiencing considerable economic fluctuations [1] Innovation Capacity - Anhui stands out with a research and development (R&D) intensity exceeding the national average, leading to a 28.2% increase in high-value invention patents per ten thousand people by 2024 [2] - In contrast, Shanxi and Jiangxi lag in R&D support due to a lack of high-level educational institutions and talent [2] Industrial Structure - Anhui's emerging industries are thriving, with strategic emerging industries accounting for 43.6% of industrial output in 2024, and it ranks second nationally in new energy vehicle production [2] - Hubei has developed clusters in optoelectronic information and high-end equipment manufacturing, with these sectors contributing over 60% to industrial revenue [2] - Other provinces struggle with less diversified industrial structures, with Shanxi heavily reliant on coal, contributing 60% to industrial growth [2] Openness Levels - Anhui leads in total goods import and export volume in 2024, with a total of 490.1 billion yuan, while Shanxi's volume is only one-fifth of Anhui's [3] - Other provinces, except Hubei and Anhui, have foreign trade growth rates below the national average [3] Challenges to High-Quality Development - The central region's overall R&D investment intensity is lower than that of the eastern region, with patent applications only about one-fourth of those in the east [3] - The region's economic openness is limited, with only 8.21% of national import and export totals in 2024, and an economic outward orientation of approximately 12.5% [3] Strategic Development Initiatives - The region aims to cultivate new productive forces by enhancing innovation capabilities in manufacturing and promoting advanced manufacturing clusters [4] - There is a push for regional strategic integration, encouraging collaboration among provinces to enhance economic quality and efficiency [4] - High-level inland openness is being promoted through the development of transportation hubs and integration into the Belt and Road Initiative [4][5] Regional Cooperation - Strengthening inter-provincial cooperation mechanisms is essential, focusing on key industries such as equipment manufacturing and new energy vehicles [5] - The establishment of ecological and economic cooperation zones is being prioritized to enhance regional collaboration [5]