梅肯研究院-2017中国最佳表现城市年度报告（英文）-2017-52页-2mb

Summary of the 2017 BEST-PERFORMING CITIES Report (China)

Core Content

The 2017 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities (BPC) China report evaluates the economic performance of Chinese cities using a composite index based on nine key indicators, including job and wage growth, gross regional product (GRP) per capita growth, foreign direct investment (FDI), and the location quotient (LQ) for high value-added industries. The report distinguishes between first- and second-tier cities and third-tier cities, reflecting different developmental stages and urban hierarchies.

The report highlights the transition of China's economy from a "world factory" model to an "entrepreneurial and innovation-based" economy, as outlined in the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP). It emphasizes the importance of regional clusters, such as the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, and the Diamond Economic Zone, in driving economic growth and development. The "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) initiative is also noted for its role in promoting trade and infrastructure development, both domestically and internationally.

Main Goals of the Rankings

• To provide policymakers, planners, investors, and academics with a tool to monitor and evaluate the economic performance of Chinese cities.
• To guide Chinese cities in improving their economic strategies.
• To explore untapped markets and business opportunities in China's evolving development landscape.

Key Indicators

• One- and five-year job growth
• One- and five-year wage growth
• One- and five-year GRP per capita growth
• Three-year FDI growth
• FDI/GRP ratio
• Location quotient (LQ) for high value-added industry employment

Top Performing Cities

First- and Second-Tier Cities

1. Chengdu, Sichuan – Regained the top spot due to diverse high value-added industries, innovation, and lower business costs.
2. Chongqing – Secured second place, benefiting from its strategic location and similar advantages as Chengdu.
3. Guiyang, Guizhou – Ranked third, with strong growth attributed to improved transportation and the development of the big data sector.
4. Shenzhen, Guangdong – Ranked fourth, a key part of the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone.
5. Nanjing, Jiangsu – Ranked fifth, showing strong performance within the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
6. Shanghai – Ranked sixth, a long-standing economic powerhouse.
7. Zhengzhou, Henan – A newcomer to the top 10, benefiting from the OBOR initiative.
8. Kunming, Yunnan – Ranked eighth, a key city in the Diamond Economic Zone.
9. Nanchang, Jiangxi – Ranked ninth, showing improved performance linked to the OBOR initiative.
10. Qingdao, Shandong – Ranked tenth, another new entrant in the top 10 list.

Third-Tier Cities

1. Nantong, Jiangsu – Top-ranked third-tier city, part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
2. Bengbu, Anhui – A new entrant, possibly benefiting from the OBOR initiative.
3. Foshan, Guangdong – Ranked third, part of the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone.
4. Ji'an, Jiangxi – Ranked fourth, showing significant improvement.
5. Zunyi, Guizhou – Ranked fifth, benefiting from Guizhou's overall economic growth.
6. Taizhou, Jiangsu – Ranked sixth, part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
7. Luohu, Henan – Ranked seventh, a new entrant.
8. Yangzhou, Jiangsu – Ranked eighth, part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
9. Yichang, Hubei – Ranked ninth, showing relatively stable economic performance.
10. Suzhou, Jiangsu – Ranked tenth, part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Key Observations

• A significant number of top-performing cities are located in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, and the Diamond Economic Zone, indicating the importance of these regional clusters.
• Cities not part of any major cluster tend to show more fluctuation in rankings, suggesting that integration into regional systems offers more stability and growth opportunities.
• The concept of "agglomeration economies" is central to the success of cluster cities, enabling better division of labor and cooperation.
• Many cities have adopted more open and flexible policies to attract investment, foster innovation, and support entrepreneurship.
• The OBOR initiative has played a crucial role in enhancing the economic potential of cities like Chongqing, Kunming, and Guizhou.
• The rise of Guizhou is attributed to improved transportation networks and a focus on high value-added industries, particularly big data.
• The report also highlights the importance of urbanization in fostering a consumption-driven economy, with the government aiming to reduce reliance on export and manufacturing sectors.

Conclusion

The 2017 BPC China report underscores the shift from traditional manufacturing to innovation and high value-added industries, with regional clusters and the OBOR initiative playing pivotal roles. The rankings reflect the economic strengths and strategic positioning of cities, offering insights into the future development of China's urban and regional economies.