When can Zhanjiang surpass Maoming City?

The opportunity is not very big

First of all, Zhanjiang can be regarded as a city that has once been glorious. In the 1970s and 1980s, Zhanjiang's economy had almost no rivals if you look at the entire Guangdong. But later, due to various influences, Zhanjiang's economy plummeted. Today, Zhanjiang has become a relatively backward city in Guangdong Province, with its per capita GDP being the seventh lowest in the province. Looking back at Maoming, although its geographical location is not particularly good, in recent years Maoming has grasped its own strengths and developed its economy in a down-to-earth manner. For this reason, it has also won various honors, so Maoming's development in recent years is very good. So when can Zhanjiang surpass Maoming? I think this question is rather embarrassing. Unless we turn back time, there is really little chance of Zhanjiang surpassing Maoming.

First look at the GDP of the two cities. In 2019, Zhanjiang’s GDP was 306.4 billion, while Maoming’s GDP was 325.2 billion. Although the gap is not very big, only 20 billion. So the question is, since the gap is only 20 billion, is it possible for Zhanjiang to suddenly surpass Maoming? I think it’s unlikely. Why do you say that? Because Zhanjiang's economic growth rate last year was 4.0%, while Maoming's economic growth rate was 4.3%. If this trend continues, then Zhanjiang will not only have no chance of surpassing Maoming, but the gap with Maoming may even widen. Of course, unless the general environment changes, otherwise Zhanjiang really has no chance.

Secondly, Zhanjiang’s per capita GDP is 41,600, while Maoming’s per capita GDP is 50,700. It is obvious that Maoming’s situation is better. At this time, many people may want to say that Zhanjiang has a relatively large population and will definitely have advantages in economic development. After all, Zhanjiang’s population reached 7.36 million, while Maoming only had 6.41 million. In other words, the population of Zhanjiang is nearly 1 million more than that of Maoming, but I personally think that population is not an important factor in urban development. ?Talent? is the basis for urban development. You can think about it. If one city is full of old, weak, sick and disabled, and another city is full of talents, then the latter will definitely have an advantage in economic development.

And now Maoming is vigorously developing tourism, attracting a large number of tourists every year, thus driving local economic development. Although Zhanjiang is also very rich in tourism resources, it is obvious that Zhanjiang is not as good as Maoming in terms of publicity. Last year, the growth of Zhanjiang's tertiary industry was 8%, while that of Maoming was 9.2%. In addition, Maoming's industrial transformation has done very well. In short, the current trend is that Maoming is developing faster and faster, while Zhanjiang continues to be sluggish. In other words, the gap between the two is likely to widen, and eventually Zhanjiang surpassing Maoming will become an empty talk.

However, Zhanjiang currently has another trump card, which is its proximity to Hainan. Everyone knows that Hainan is currently a free trade zone. If Hainan can really develop, even if Zhanjiang nearby can't eat meat, it will be very good to drink some soup. Therefore, if Hainan develops, Zhanjiang may develop with it and surpass Maoming. Of course, it will be difficult to realize all this in the near future. As for how long it will take, it is hard to say.