Core Insights - The report highlights the significant role of urban areas as innovation hubs and core engines for regional economic development in China, projecting a GDP growth from 45.2 trillion yuan in 2020 to 57.2 trillion yuan by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% [1][2] Economic Performance - The number of "billion-yuan urban areas" is expected to increase from 156 in 2023 to 171 in 2024, with 16 areas breaking the billion-yuan threshold for the first time [2] - The total GDP of the 45 "two-thousand-billion urban areas" will reach 14.7 trillion yuan, accounting for 46.8% of the total GDP of the 171 "billion-yuan urban areas," reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year [2] - The top ten newly added "billion-yuan urban areas" for 2024 include Shenyang Hunnan District, Ningbo Fenghua District, and others, with GDPs ranging from 1,000 billion to 1,123 billion yuan [2] Urban Hierarchy - The first tier of "billion-yuan urban areas" includes Shenzhen's Nanshan, Futian, Longgang, and Bao'an districts, as well as Guangzhou's Tianhe District, with Nanshan's GDP nearing 9.5 trillion yuan [3] - The second tier consists of 17 urban areas with GDPs between 3,000 billion and 5,000 billion yuan, with seven areas surpassing 3,000 billion yuan for the first time [3] Innovation and Development Trends - The report identifies six new trends in the development of China's top 100 urban areas, emphasizing a shift from technology catch-up to original innovation leadership [4] - Shenzhen's Longgang District is highlighted for its industrial internet innovation center and partnerships with leading companies, showcasing a model for cluster development [4] Industry Focus - In Bao'an District, a focus on "smart manufacturing" has led to the establishment of 7,229 national high-tech enterprises, with significant global market shares in sectors like panoramic cameras and LED screens [5] - The report suggests five key pathways for high-quality economic development in urban areas, including promoting deep integration of "science and technology + industry" and advancing green transformation aligned with carbon neutrality goals [5]