Steady economic growth, urban expansion, and a rising population all demonstrate Zhengzhou's forward momentum. The city has seen continuous improvements in its overall infrastructure capacity, regional influence, and capacity to drive regional growth. Backed by solid achievements, Zhengzhou's comprehensive strength has grown, marking a new chapter in its development as a national central city.
This July saw the completion of EngineAI's first Henan-made T800 Humanoid Robot units at its Intelligent Manufacturing Base in Zhengzhou Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. This milestone signals the start of mass production, with these robots set to be delivered to markets near and far.
Innovation has remained the cornerstone of Zhengzhou's economic and social development over the past five years. By 2025, the city's R&D spending is forecast to make up 3% of GDP, while technology contract transactions are expected to exceed 100 billion yuan, 2.3 times more than 2021. These achievements have positioned Zhengzhou among China's leading innovation hubs. The city now ranks among China's top 20 cities in scientific and technological innovation competitiveness and is also among the world's top 100 innovation hubs.
Zhengzhou's digital economy exceeded 800 billion yuan in 2025. 1.277 million vehicles were produced, including 712,000 new energy vehicles. Smartphone and bus production each accounted for one-ninth and one-eighth of the global total, respectively. The city produces more than 70% of China's gas sensors, while China Railway Engineering Equipment Group (CREG) has been the global leader in tunnel boring machine production and sales for several consecutive years. A growing number of products made in Zhengzhou are moving toward the mid-to-high end of the value chain.
Zhengzhou's four Silk Roads, namely the Air Silk Road, the Land Silk Road, the Digital Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road, have developed in close coordination over the past five years. Zhengzhou Airport now operates 70 all-cargo routes, and in 2025 its cargo volume exceeded 1 million tons, placing it among the world's top 30 cargo airports. In 2025, trains from the China Railway Express (Zhengzhou) completed 3,417 trips, a 127% increase from 2021. Cross-border e-commerce transactions reached 161.83 billion yuan, and the city's total import and export volume exceeded 650 billion yuan. Zhengzhou is emerging as a new global hub.
Zhengzhou did not accomplish this alone. The launch of the Zhongmu New Area has accelerated the integration of Zhengzhou and Kaifeng. The Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEZ) completed its first ten-year plan, achieving a cycle of mutual reinforcement among its airport, industry and city. The metropolitan area has risen to national-level prominence. Intercity rail connections have tightened regional ties, with the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng line now offering commuter service, and the Zhengzhou-Xuchang route making travel faster between the two cities. Travel within the metropolitan area now takes no more than one hour.
Population fuels urban growth, and talent drives competitiveness. Over the past five years, Zhengzhou has opened its arms to the world, attracted talent through its growing appeal, and steadily improved the lives of its residents. In doing so, the city has forged a mutually beneficial partnership with its people.
Economic growth, urban renewal, metropolitan amalgamation and the gathering of young talent have together propelled Zhengzhou to a remarkable new level.
