按照全国经济区划界定的范围，本文所论中部经济系指河南、湖北、湖南、江西、安徽五省广大腹地区域。它位于黄河中游和长江中游流域，北与环渤海经济区相连，东靠经济发达的长江三角洲，西部沟通西北、西南部诸省区，南部紧临珠江三角洲率先开放地带。该区历史上曾是我国经济开发最早的地带，亦是华夏文明的发祥地，又对中国革命和建设做出过巨大贡献。可是，改革开放以来，这一地区显然落伍于东南诸省市，同时还面临着西部省区加快开发的挑战。在即将来临的跨世纪新的发展时期，中部经济要奋起直追，再度中兴，为中华腾飞鼓足后劲，就必须重新审视经济特征、战略地位和开发开放思路。 According to the definition of the national economic zone, the central economy in this article refers to the vast hinterland of five provinces of Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Anhui. It is located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River basin. It connects to the Bohai Economic Zone in the north, the economically developed Yangtze River Delta to the east, provinces in the northwest and southwest of the west, and the Pearl River Delta in the south. Historically, this area was the earliest area for economic development in our country and the birthplace of the Huaxia civilization. It has also made tremendous contributions to the Chinese revolution and construction. However, since the reform and opening up, the area has apparently lagged behind the southeastern provinces and municipalities, while facing the challenge of speeding up the development of western provinces and autonomous regions. In the coming new period of cross-century development, the economy in the central part of the country should catch up and resume and be rejuvenated for China. Therefore, it is necessary to re-examine the economic characteristics, strategic status, and development and opening-up mentality.