The economic performance of all provinces and regions during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) has been released. The difference in their GDPs and the gap between the north and the south have generated discussions on the Internet.
In recent years, the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta have embarked on a path of high-quality development while the growth of some provinces in north China has slowed down. But that does not mean our expectation on the north is lowered.
As part of a country with a vast territory and a large population, different regions are designed to play different roles according to local conditions and the national economic layout.
Lu Ming, a professor of economics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said GDP is not the only indicator reflecting development. Different regions have their own advantages and play an indispensable role in the country's progress.
While some places seem to be developing slowly, making the gap between the north and the south look wider, all regions are experiencing rapid economic growth and taking full advantage of their unique features.
This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guancha.gmw.cn on January 29
(Print Edition Title: Synergetic Development)
