Watch out Beijing: the rise of China's second-tier cities

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  For decades,

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  China's best and brightest young graduates would flock to its first-tier cities,

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  Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen,

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  also known as Beishang Guangshen.

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  But in recent years,

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  a large number of youths are looking beyond Beishang Guangshan to cities like Chengdu,

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  Xi'an, and Changsha.

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  They want more dynamism and a better quality of life.

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  The rise of second-tier cities reflects a new migratory flow in China

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  and the changing attitudes of young Chinese on what kind of lives they want to live.

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  I'm Alice Su, The Economist's senior China correspondent.

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  My co-host David is away this week,

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  so I'm joined by Gabriel Crossley,

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  our China correspondent based in Beijing.

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  This week, we're asking,

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  What explains the rise of second-tier cities?

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  This is Drum Tower from The Economist.

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  Gabriel, hi.

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  How are you doing?

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  It's been ages since I last saw you.

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