Core Insights - The economic primacy of provincial capitals in Eastern China is declining, with cities like Haikou showing significant growth in GDP share relative to their provinces [1][5][6] - The shift towards a "dual-star" or "multi-center" urban development model is evident, as population and capital are no longer concentrated solely in provincial capitals [6][8][10] Economic Performance of Provincial Capitals - In 2024, Haikou's GDP reached 2470.63 billion yuan, accounting for 31.13% of Hainan's total GDP, ranking it among the top 10 provincial capitals nationally [5][6] - Other Eastern provincial capitals like Fuzhou, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou have GDP shares ranging from 20% to 30%, while cities like Jinan, Nanjing, and Shijiazhuang are below 20% [5][6] Urban Development Trends - The Eastern provinces are transitioning from a single-pole to a multi-pole development strategy, with cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen exemplifying this trend [6][8] - In the Yangtze River Delta, cities such as Nanjing and Suzhou are emerging as significant economic centers alongside Shanghai, indicating a move towards a multi-center urban structure [7][8] Government Initiatives - The 2025 government work report emphasizes regional coordinated development and urbanization, aiming to cultivate new growth poles [2][8] - Specific strategies are being implemented in provinces like Zhejiang, where distinct roles and industrial focuses are assigned to cities like Hangzhou and Ningbo [9][10] Collaborative Development Models - Provinces are exploring new models to facilitate resource flow and collaborative development among cities of varying sizes [10][11] - For instance, Guangdong is implementing initiatives to address regional imbalances through resource redistribution and support for rural development [11]

Core Viewpoint - The economic primacy of provincial capitals is a significant topic of discussion, emphasizing the need for tailored development strategies rather than relying solely on a single economic indicator [1][2]. Group 1: Economic Development Strategies - Provinces are increasingly supporting the high-quality development of their capitals, with Ningxia implementing a "strong capital" strategy to enhance regional competitiveness and ecological protection [2]. - Continuous improvement in the economic quality and reasonable growth of provincial capitals requires a dual approach of scaling up and strategic direction, focusing on reform and innovation rather than merely increasing size [3]. Group 2: Challenges and Opportunities - Western provinces face challenges such as weak development foundations and economic structures, necessitating strong economic platforms in provincial capitals to compete nationally and globally [1]. - Provincial capitals should adopt a broader perspective, balancing short-term tasks with long-term goals, and contribute to regional coordination while avoiding negative effects like resource siphoning [3].