Core Insights - Jiangsu is accelerating its economic growth to catch up with Guangdong, the leading province in China [1] Economic Performance - In the first half of 2025, Jiangsu's GDP reached 66,967.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%, while Guangdong's GDP was 68,725.4 billion yuan, with a growth of 4.2% [2] - The GDP gap between Jiangsu and Guangdong narrowed to 1,757.6 billion yuan, the smallest difference in six years [2] Industrial Growth - Jiangsu's industrial output value increased by 7.4% year-on-year, surpassing the national average by 1 percentage point [2] - All 13 cities in Jiangsu experienced positive growth in industrial output, supported by the rise of strategic emerging industries [2] Export Resilience - Jiangsu's exports grew by 9.4% to 1.88 trillion yuan, contributing significantly to economic growth despite external challenges [3] - In contrast, Guangdong's export growth was only 1.1%, despite achieving record highs in foreign trade [3] Consumer Activity - Jiangsu's retail sales of consumer goods increased by 5.0% year-on-year, driven by rising consumer enthusiasm and policies promoting consumption [4] - The per capita disposable income in Jiangsu reached 30,706 yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.2% [4] Regional Development - Jiangsu's economic structure shows balanced development across all regions, with all 13 cities ranking in the top 100 nationwide [5] - The gap between northern and southern Jiangsu is narrowing, fostering a collaborative economic model [5] County-Level Economy - County-level cities like Kunshan and Jiangyin are consistently ranked among the top counties in China, showcasing strong economic vitality [6] - The collaborative development model enhances Jiangsu's resilience and growth potential [6] Future Outlook - Jiangsu's GDP is projected to exceed 14 trillion yuan by 2025, indicating a competitive economic landscape with Guangdong [6] - The competition between Jiangsu and Guangdong will drive improvements in development quality, benefiting China's overall economic growth [6]

Core Viewpoint - Jiangsu Province is highlighted as a model of balanced regional development in China, with all its prefecture-level cities ranking in the top 100 for GDP, a feat unmatched by other provinces [1][8]. Group 1: Population and City Structure - Jiangsu has the highest average population per prefecture-level city among five provinces, with an average of 651.9 thousand people, and it is the only province without cities with populations below 3 million [4][7]. - The absence of cities with populations below 3 million in Jiangsu contributes to its cities all ranking in the top 100 for GDP, unlike other coastal provinces that have smaller cities [4][5]. Group 2: Geographic and Economic Advantages - Jiangsu's unique geographic conditions, being predominantly flat and water-rich, allow for high population density and balanced distribution, facilitating industrial development [7][14]. - The province's transportation infrastructure, including its extensive river and canal systems, significantly enhances its industrial capabilities, with cargo throughput estimated at 28.5 million tons, surpassing that of Shanghai and Zhejiang combined [10][11]. Group 3: Industrial Development - Jiangsu's industrialization is supported by low-cost land, transportation, and labor, making it an attractive location for industries to thrive [9][14]. - The province has successfully transferred industries from southern Jiangsu to northern regions, leveraging its favorable geographic conditions for industrial growth [12][14]. Group 4: Comparisons with Other Provinces - Other provinces face challenges in replicating Jiangsu's model due to less favorable geographic conditions, leading to industrialization being concentrated in major cities rather than evenly distributed [15][19]. - The article argues that Jiangsu's balanced development is a result of its natural advantages rather than government policies, contrasting it with the more centralized industrial development seen in provinces like Guangdong and Zhejiang [16][19].