Core Insights - The report by CCID Consulting presents the latest trends in the economic development of urban areas in Central and Western China, highlighting the evaluation of 463 urban districts through a comprehensive assessment framework [1][2]. Group 1: Regional Characteristics - Central urban economies exhibit uneven spatial distribution and scale gradient, with Hubei leading with 29 districts in the rankings, followed by Anhui (17), Jiangxi (16), and Hunan (16) [2]. - In terms of economic scale, 75 of the top 100 districts in Central China are below 100 billion yuan, with only one district exceeding 400 billion yuan [2]. - Western urban areas are characterized by core leadership, clear gradients, and distinctive drivers, with Sichuan having 29 districts, followed by Shaanxi (15) and Guangxi (12) [2]. Group 2: Development Trends and Recommendations - Three major trends are anticipated for urban development in Central and Western China during the 14th Five-Year Plan: cross-regional collaboration, emergence of "dark horse" cities, and urban renewal leading to a virtuous cycle of spatial restructuring and industrial upgrading [3]. - Four key recommendations to overcome development bottlenecks include: precise industry upgrading through collaboration with Eastern regions, building a regional innovation network, enhancing logistics capabilities under the Belt and Road Initiative, and promoting integration of production, city, and people through urban renewal [3]. Group 3: Rankings and Data - The rankings for the top urban districts in Central and Western China have been published, with the first 22 districts in Central China and the first 19 in Western China making the list for 2025 [6][9].