Taiyuan is rated as a gamma+ city in the World Cities 2024. [Photo/Taiyuan news network]

The world-renowned think tank Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) recently released the World Cities 2024, with Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, ranking 139th.

The World Cities is considered the most authoritative ranking globally for first, second, third, and fourth-tier cities. Cities are classified into four levels: alpha, beta, gamma, and sufficiency (+/-).

The classification is based on factors such as the city's development level, overall economic strength, population, influence, international connections, transportation, and attraction to foreign investment.

It assesses the city's position in the global production service network, focusing on economic factors, especially high-end services. This ranking system indicates each city's position and integration level in the worldwide economy.

Taiyuan has been upgraded from a gamma city in 2020 to a gamma+ city, rising from 223rd to 139th place. In recent years, Taiyuan has accelerated the construction of a national regional central city, aiming to create an inland open economic hub and a regional modern service industry cluster.

In terms of opening-up, Taiyuan has been improving its institutional system, fully utilizing both domestic and international markets. It has also actively strengthened regional cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

The city has also promoted the specialization and high-end extension of productive services while upgrading and diversifying lifestyle services.