Random titles won't help cities to prosper

First coined by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in an effort to steer China's urbanization, the title of "national central city" appears to be up for grabs. Big cities, mostly provincial capitals, have made their best efforts to earn the title as the country reportedly plans to build four global cities and 11 national central cities - which the ministry has denied.

The numbers and rumors aside, local city governments believed to be potential candidates will likely be locked in a dog-eat-dog competition, on and off the record. And their enthusiasm is understandable, because a national central city is more likely to enjoy preferential investment, trade, fiscal and land policies. As for the mayors whose cities win the title, it will be a great boost to their political careers.

Relevant departments like the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, too, have good reason to use the "title-giving" strategy. On the one hand, it is the departments' job to bestow on cities titles such as national central city on the basis of scientific urban planning. On the other hand, the "titled" cities will be more motivated to contribute to the implementation of key national policies. That explains why some major cities are crowned by dozens of titles with different focuses, even though the title-giving approach does not necessarily lead to a win-win result.