20 new urban rising stars in China

Tianjin: A key player in the Bohai Bay economic zone, a manufacturing and shipping center in North China, with per capita GDP exceeding 62,000 yuan ($9,082) in 2009.

Qingdao: A shipping center and seaside resort city, with per capita GDP exceeding 65,000 yuan in 2008.

Hangzhou: A key player in the Yangtze River Delta, strong in education and financial resources, with per capita GDP of 60,000 yuan in 2009.

Suzhou: Strong in foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade-oriented manufacturing, with per capita GDP of more than 77,000 yuan in 2009, higher than Shanghai.

Dalian: The logistics center for Northeast China on the Bohai Bay, strong also in FDI and tourism, with per capita GDP of 73,000 yuan in 2009.

Shenyang: A major industrial base in northeastern China, strong in machinery industry and electrical equipment, with per capita GDP of more than 55,000 yuan in 2009.

Nanjing: Important business city in the Yangtze River Delta, with per capita GDP exceeding 44,000 yuan in 2008.

Xiamen: One of the first special economic zones in China with export-oriented economy, serving as a logistics center in southeastern China, with per capita GDP of more than 64,000 yuan in 2009.

Wuhan: The largest transportation hub in Central China, strong in the metal and machinery industries, with per capita GDP of 47,000 yuan in 2008.

Chengdu: A major city in southwestern China, strong in industry and agriculture, with per capita GDP exceeding 38,000 yuan in 2008.

Chongqing: The largest city in China, strong in the auto and machine industries and also a transportation hub in southwestern China, with per capita GDP of more than 22,000 yuan in 2009.

Jinan: A player in the Bohai Bay economic zone, with per capita GDP of more than 46,000 yuan in 2008.

Xi'an: A historical city in western China, strong in aircraft building and education, with per capita GDP exceeding 34,000 yuan in 2009.

Changchun: The largest auto industry base in northeastern China, also strong in agriculture and food process, with per capita GDP exceeding 41,000 yuan in 2008.

Hefei: A university town in Central China, with per capita GDP of more than 42,000 yuan in 2009.

Hohhot: China's trade hub with Mongolia and Russia, with per capita GDP exceeding 61,000 yuan in 2009.

Changsha: In Hunan province in Central China, most competitive in the cultural and entertainment industries, with per capita GDP of more than 56,000 yuan in 2009.

Foshan: A city in the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province, known for its light industries, with per capita GDP exceeding 67,000 yuan in 2008.

Changzhou: A business city near Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta, strong in manufacturing, with per capita GDP more than 56,000 yuan in 2009.

Yangzhou: A rapidly growing city in the Yangtze River Delta, strong in textiles and agriculture, with per capita GDP exceeding 41,000 yuan in 2009.