The 2026 GYBrand Chinese Cities Index, compiled by leading city index research agency GYBrand, has been released recently. Zhongshan secured a spot in the top 100 cities, ranking 50th overall in the composite index and classified as a second-tier city.

The index evaluates cities across ten core dimensions: economic strength, infrastructure, governance effectiveness, medical and educational resources, cultural exchange, business environment, development potential, innovation vitality, brand leadership, and international reputation. It analyzes opportunities and challenges for the top 100 Chinese cities in the evolving urban development landscape.

The top 100 list covers 29 provinces and regions, with Jiangsu (13 cities), Guangdong (11), Zhejiang (8), Shandong (8) and Fujian (7) leading the rankings.