Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the successful launch of the "Zhe BA" basketball league in Zhejiang, emphasizing its role in promoting local culture, tourism, and economic development through sports engagement [1][2]. Summary by Sections Event Overview - The "Zhe BA" league kicked off on July 6, 2025, with a match between Zhuji and Keqiao, where Zhuji won 79-60 [1]. - The league is designed as an amateur competition, encouraging broad community participation, with matches scheduled from July 2025 to February 2026 across 11 cities and 90 counties in Zhejiang [2]. Basketball Infrastructure - Zhejiang boasts a strong basketball foundation, with 55,051 basketball courts covering 32.71 million square meters, including 45,652 basketball courts, 5,376 three-on-three courts, and 4,023 basketball gyms [2]. Economic and Cultural Integration - The league serves as a platform to showcase local products and tourism, with events featuring local delicacies and cultural performances [2][3]. - The integration of sports with local culture and economy is emphasized, with the league aiming to create a festive atmosphere that encourages community involvement [3]. Regional Economic Characteristics - Zhejiang's balanced county-level economic development is highlighted, with each region having its own leading industries, contributing to overall economic progress [5]. - Specific examples include Zhuji's sock production, Keqiao's textile dominance, and Yiwu's status as a global small commodity hub [5]. Income and Tourism - The average disposable income for urban residents in Zhejiang's counties is relatively high, with 9 out of 14 counties in China exceeding 80,000 yuan in 2024 [6]. - Zhejiang ranks first in the national county tourism strength rankings, with notable tourist attractions and events driving local economies [7]. Cultural Significance - The "Zhe BA" league is seen as a vehicle for cultural expression, drawing on regional characteristics and fostering community spirit through sports [8].

Group 1 - The "Zhe BA" basketball league has gained popularity in Zhejiang, showcasing the region's strong basketball foundation and its potential to drive consumption through sports events [2][3] - The inaugural match of "Zhe BA" was held in a venue with a capacity of 6077, and tickets sold out quickly, indicating high public interest [3] - The league is designed as an amateur competition, allowing only non-professional players to participate, and will run from July 2025 to February 2026 across various cities in Zhejiang [3] Group 2 - The event serves as a platform to integrate community sports, urban culture, leisure consumption, and local industries, with local delicacies and tourism promotions enhancing the experience [4][5] - The regional economic characteristics are highlighted through team slogans and local industries, with each area having its own dominant industry contributing to economic growth [6] - Zhejiang's digital economy is empowering county-level economies, leading to transformation and increased competitiveness in local industries [7] Group 3 - The county-level economies in Zhejiang are thriving, with high per capita disposable income, and many counties ranking among the top in national tourism strength [7][8] - The "Zhe BA" league is seen as a way to showcase local cultural and economic characteristics, drawing inspiration from other regions while adapting to Zhejiang's unique resources [8]

Core Insights - The latest "billion-county" list by CCID Consulting shows an increase in the number of counties with GDP exceeding 100 billion yuan, now totaling 62, with new additions from Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu [2][4] - These counties contribute 10.5 trillion yuan to the national GDP, accounting for 7.8% of the total, reflecting a 0.2 percentage point increase year-on-year [2][4] - The emergence of new billion-counties is supported by new industries, indicating a trend of strong economic growth in these regions [2][4] Economic Characteristics - The three main characteristics of "billion-counties" are high industrial output, advanced urban construction levels, and strong market consumption capabilities [4] - In 2024, the total industrial output value of these counties is expected to approach 15 trillion yuan, with an average industrial output value of around 2.4 billion yuan [4] - Retail sales of consumer goods in these counties are projected to reach 3.2 trillion yuan, with an average exceeding 500 million yuan [4] Regional Distribution - The 62 "billion-counties" are primarily concentrated in 15 provinces, with Jiangsu leading with over one-third of the total, having 22 counties on the list [4][7] - Zhejiang ranks second with 11 counties, while Shandong and Fujian each have 6 counties [4][7] - The distribution of "billion-counties" is more balanced in the eastern regions, while central and western regions are gradually increasing their numbers [7][8] Industry Support - The strong performance of "billion-counties" in Jiangsu is attributed to their robust industrial support, particularly through park economies and high-tech platforms [8][10] - For instance, Kunshan's economic development zone contributes about 50% of its GDP, showcasing the importance of industrial parks [10] - New emerging industries are crucial for the growth of newly recognized "billion-counties" like Tengzhou and Changfeng, with a focus on high-end equipment and new energy vehicles [11][10] Future Prospects - The number of counties nearing the "billion" mark is increasing, with 21 counties projected to reach GDPs between 900 million and 1 billion yuan in 2024 [15] - Provinces like Hubei and Zhejiang are showing strong growth potential, with several counties expected to achieve "billion-county" status soon [15][16] - The government is emphasizing the development of county economies, aiming to enhance infrastructure and public services to support this growth [16]