Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent administrative changes in Foshan, Guangdong, where nine administrative villages from Zhaoqing's Gaoyao District were transferred to Foshan's Gaoming District, primarily driven by the construction of the new airport in the Pearl River Delta region, referred to as the "Guangzhou Second Airport" [4][5][6]. Group 1: Airport Development and Urban Expansion - The new airport, designed to handle 30 million passengers annually, is located at the boundary between Foshan and Zhaoqing, approximately 80 kilometers from Guangzhou [10][18]. - Foshan's administrative adjustment is seen as a necessary step to facilitate the integrated planning and construction of the airport, breaking down administrative barriers [19][20]. - Foshan joins cities like Xi'an and Chengdu that have expanded due to airport developments, marking a trend of urban growth linked to transportation infrastructure [8][21]. Group 2: Comparison with Other Cities - Over the past decade, five major provincial capitals have undergone significant expansions, with Chengdu and Xi'an being directly related to airport developments [22]. - Chengdu's expansion in 2016 involved the incorporation of Jianyang, which added over 2,200 square kilometers and 1.4 million residents, enhancing its economic capacity [24]. - Xi'an's integration of Xianyang has been a long-discussed topic, with recent plans indicating a shift towards collaboration rather than outright merger [32]. Group 3: Future of Urban Expansion - The article suggests that while Foshan's adjustment is a minor administrative change, it does not signify a broader trend of urban expansion, especially since the last significant expansion occurred in 2020 with Changchun [36][40]. - Current urban development is shifting from rapid expansion to improving existing urban areas, indicating that large-scale city mergers or expansions are unlikely in the near future [39][41]. - The focus is now on addressing the needs of shrinking cities and potential administrative adjustments rather than pursuing new expansions [42].

Core Insights - The Sichuan provincial government has made significant achievements in infrastructure development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on both traditional and new infrastructure projects [5][6] Infrastructure Achievements - The total length of the comprehensive transportation network in Sichuan has reached 443,000 kilometers, ranking first in the country, equivalent to the distance from Earth to the Moon [5] - The installed capacity of hydropower in Sichuan is about to exceed 100 million kilowatts, also ranking first nationally, with 30% of the country's hydropower coming from Sichuan [5] - Sichuan has established 10 major national scientific and technological infrastructure projects, ranking third in the country [5] - The province has built 248,000 5G base stations, ranking fifth nationally, achieving comprehensive coverage of gigabit networks in industrial parks [5][6] Investment and Economic Support - Infrastructure investment accounts for over 30% of fixed asset investment in Sichuan, providing strong support for stable economic operation and high-quality development [6] Four Networks of Infrastructure - **Three-dimensional Transportation Network**: Significant breakthroughs in strategic corridors, with the Sichuan-Tibet Railway under construction and the Chengdu to Huangshengguan section of the Chengqing Railway completed [7] - **Modern Water Conservancy Network**: The construction of a modern water network is accelerating, with urban water supply coverage achieved and rural self-supply rate increasing from 82% to 92% [8] - **Green Energy Network**: The completion of the Baihetan Hydropower Station contributes to Sichuan's position as a leader in clean energy, with wind and solar power installations expected to reach 32 million kilowatts by the end of the year [8] - **Smart Digital Network**: The development of computing power and internet infrastructure is advancing, with the Chengdu Supercomputing Center ranking among the top globally [9] Future Plans - Sichuan aims to build a modern infrastructure system that is advanced, applicable, systematic, efficient, safe, and green, supporting high-quality economic and social development in the "15th Five-Year Plan" [9]