Core Insights - The construction of digital cities in China has entered a new phase characterized by large-scale promotion and deep empowerment, driven by advanced information technologies such as artificial intelligence and data elements [1] Group 1: Digital Economy Development - The "2025 China Digital City Competitiveness Research Report" indicates a significant feature of China's urban digital economy, showing a "core leading, tiered differentiation" pattern [1] - The top cities in the digital economy rankings are Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, while cities like Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Chengdu remain stable [1] - Emerging cities such as Heze and Dongying have entered the top 100 digital economy cities, with notable advancements in cities like Hengyang and Binzhou [2] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The report highlights that 40 cities have improved their rankings, while 31 cities have seen a decline, indicating intense competition among mid-tier and emerging cities [2] - Hohhot is leveraging the "East Data West Calculation" initiative to enhance its digital economy, projecting a core industry value of 17.2 billion yuan by 2024 [2] - Yibin is fostering a digital economy ecosystem with 53 new digital enterprises expected in 2024, and has been recognized as a pilot city for small and medium-sized enterprise digital transformation [2] Group 3: Regional Distribution - All provinces except Hainan, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Tibet have cities listed in the top 100 digital economy rankings, with all four direct-controlled municipalities included [3] - Jiangsu has maintained a leading position with its cities consistently ranking in the top 100 for five consecutive years [3] - The overall distribution of cities in the rankings shows relative stability with minor adjustments, as Shandong has gained two cities while Guangdong and Anhui have lost one each [3] Group 4: Evaluation Methodology - The report evaluates over 200 cities using six dimensions, 22 secondary indicators, and 54 tertiary indicators to determine the top 100 digital cities [3] - The integration of previous reports into a dual-list system aims to provide a clearer and more comprehensive view of urban digital development in China [3]