​Latest in JLL series of reports on Chinese cities highlights an elite group's rise on the international stage

The report centres around how the twelve cities compare against each other, before proceeding to look at where they fit in to the global picture. JLL carried out this comparison using not only traditional metrics such as size, wealth, growth, and connectivity, but also what are outlined as 'future proofing' metrics. These represent the factors which will be important for Chinese cities in the next stage of their development, and fall into nine categories such as Talent, Innovation, Livability, and Real Estate Transparency. 

As Joe Zhou, Head of Research, JLL China points out, "China's economic landscape is changing fast. The innovation economy has taken hold, and a new wave of domestic corporates are reshaping China's business ecosystem. For China's cities and real estate markets, JLL sees the focus shifting toward 'future-proofing', which measures a city's readiness to embrace change and develop in line with newly emerging trends."

Shenzhen and Guangzhou are classified as 'Enterprisers', similar in many aspects to dynamic global cities like Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangalore, where innovation now thrives. These two Chinese cities are strong in areas such as quality of life, connectivity, and their talent pools, but while Guangzhou boasts good scores in traditional metrics, Shenzhen's development of successful and innovative corporates has now pulled the city ahead on several 'future-proofing' metrics. 

The report highlights Shenzhen, often referred to as 'China's Silicon Valley', as a key city to watch within the China12. "Shenzhen is carving out its own position as a magnet for China's top talent, with dynamic entrepreneurial workplaces and concentrations of innovative domestic corporates", says Jeremy Kelly, Director in Global Research, JLL. "On many 'future-proofing' metrics, it is catching up with Shanghai and Beijing." 

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. A Fortune 500 company, JLL helps real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. In 2017, JLL had revenue of $7.9 billion and fee revenue of $6.7 billion; managed 4.6 billion square feet, or 423 million square meters; and completed investment sales, acquisitions and finance transactions of approximately $170 billion. At the end of 2017, JLL had nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 82,000.  As of December 31, 2017, LaSalle had $58.1 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit, www.jll.com. 

JJLL has over 50 years of experience in Asia Pacific, with over 37,000 employees operating in 96 offices in 16 countries across the region. The firm won the ‘World’s Best’ and ‘Best in Asia Pacific’ International Property Consultancy at the International Property Awards in 2016 and was named number one real estate investment advisory firm in Asia Pacific for the sixth consecutive year by Real Capital Analytics.  www.jll.com/asiapacific  

In Greater China, the firm was named ‘Best Property Consultancy in China’ at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2016, and has more than 2,200 professionals and 14,000 on-site staff providing quality real estate advice and services in over 80 cities across the country​.  www.joneslanglasalle.com.cn