Core Viewpoint - The economic performance of 31 provinces in China for the first half of the year shows significant competition, particularly between Hubei and Henan, with Hubei rapidly closing the economic gap [1][2]. Economic Performance - Henan's GDP reached 31,683.80 billion yuan, growing by 5.7%, while Hubei's GDP was 29,642.61 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 6.2%, indicating Hubei's faster growth compared to Henan [1][2]. - The economic gap between Hubei and Henan has significantly narrowed over the past two years, from 5,066.78 billion yuan in 2023 to 2,041.19 billion yuan in 2024 [1]. Investment and Consumption - Hubei's fixed asset investment grew by 6.5%, surpassing the national average of 3.7%, with manufacturing investment increasing by 12.5% [4]. - Hubei's retail sales reached 13,073.93 billion yuan, growing by 6.9%, which is higher than the national average [4]. Trade Performance - Hubei's total import and export volume exceeded 400 billion yuan for the first time, reaching 402.31 billion yuan, with exports growing by 38.5% [5]. - The export of mechanical and electrical products increased by 26.8%, accounting for 50.7% of total exports [5]. Henan's Economic Characteristics - Henan's economy showed "three fasts and two stability" in the first half of the year, with industrial output, fixed asset investment, and retail sales all experiencing significant growth [6][7]. - The industrial production in Henan grew by 8.4%, with nearly 80% of industries maintaining growth [6].