The design photo of Beijing New airport. [Photo/Agenceis]

According to an expert who has participated in the compiling work, the number in the plan was just hypothetical, not the final decision, China Economic Weekly reported.

"The selection of national central cities is not based on numbers, but the functions of cities," the expert said.

According to the report, the revised National Urban System Plan has been completed and submitted to the MOHURD.

The expert said the number is likely to be 12 with Beijing and Shanghai as both global cities and national central cities and another 10 as national central cities. Moreover, Hong Kong will also be functioning as a global city but not included in the plan due to the "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

Benefits behind the title

At present, a total of eight cities have made it to the list, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Chongqing, Chengdu in Sichuan province, Wuhan in Hubei province and Zhengzhou in Henan province.

The competition is boosted by the huge benefits the strategy brings.

To be recognized as a national central city means that the city's potential, advantages and prospects for future development are identified by the country, which guarantees them a first-mover advantage to their peers outside the list.

Moreover, national central cities will have a better chance in wining over functional projects, such as airport economic areas and Free Trade Zones.