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Beijing – Global real estate services firm JLL has published a new report outlining how 12 mainland Chinese cities are actively addressing issues such as pollution, liveability and resilience by becoming leading hubs of innovation and influence.

China’s megacities Beijing and Shanghai top the list of the country’s most ‘future-proof’ cities in JLL’s latest research, China 12: China’s Cities Go Global. Beijing stands out with its “exceptional higher education offer, advanced innovation ecosystem and its evolving network of new, dynamic corporates”, while Shanghai boasts “superior liveability, environmental quality and access to a strong cluster of nearby cities” as well as a “highly dynamic business environment”, according to JLL.

Other standout cities are Shenzhen and Guangzhou, which JLL describes as “entrepreneurial cities” with “deep talent pools, excellent quality of life and strong connectivity”. Shenzhen in particular is moving closer to Beijing and Shanghai by carving out a position as a magnet for China’s top talent with its concentration of dynamic firms and startups.

The country is taking active steps to build connections between its cities. For instance, clusters’ of cities, which develop complimentary niches and strong connections, are seen by many as the next phase of China’s urban development, and the report identifies three regions that stand out in this respect: the Yangtze River Delta, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Suzhou; the Greater Bay Area centred on Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen; and the Jing-Jin-Ji region, anchored by Beijing and Tianjin.

The country’s high-speed rail network is playing an important role in connecting China’s leading cities, with Wuhan and Nanjing in particular becoming key nodes in the network.

In terms of sustainability, the report found that Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are emerging as the most attractive places to live and work in China with their combination of quality of life and better quality environments, including green space, sustainable buildings and cultural offerings.