Group 1 - The economic performance of 36 major cities in China shows intensified competition and significant regional differentiation, driven by industrial transformation and innovation [1] - Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen maintain their leading positions with GDPs of 2.62 trillion, 2.50 trillion, and 1.83 trillion yuan respectively, solidifying their core status in the first tier [2] - Chengdu ranks sixth nationally with a GDP of 1.21 trillion yuan and an impressive nominal growth rate of 8.57%, driven by investments in emerging industries [2] Group 2 - Cities like Hangzhou, Shenyang, and Lhasa have emerged as economic growth leaders with nominal growth rates exceeding 10%, indicating successful industrial upgrades and innovation [3] - Taiyuan faces economic challenges with a negative growth rate, primarily due to fluctuations in coal prices, despite a significant growth in its digital economy sector [5] - The competition between Hefei and Xi'an in the "innovation city" landscape has intensified, with Hefei surpassing Xi'an in GDP, showcasing its strategic focus on future industries [6][10] Group 3 - Technological innovation is becoming a core variable reshaping regional economic structures, with cities like Shanghai, Hefei, and Chengdu leading in R&D investment [11] - The shift from factor-driven to innovation-driven economic development is evident, with cities focusing on breakthroughs in key technologies and nurturing new productive forces [11] - Collaborative innovation mechanisms among city clusters like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta are fostering profound and lasting changes in China's urban economic landscape [11]