Strengthening the leading role of Zhengzhou as a national central city is the practical need to give full play to the systematic effect of Zhengzhou metropolitan area，lead the integrated development of Central Plains urban agg-lomeration，support the high-quality rise of central China and efficiently serve the overall situation of national development. Based on the quantitative evaluation of Zhengzhou’s leading position，radiation ability and driving ability，this paper analyzes the reasons for the weak driving effect of Zhengzhou from the dimensions of population and economic primacy，innovation competitiveness，economic str-ucture，urbanization and income level. Finally，it puts forward countermeasures and suggestions to enhance the leading role of Zhengzhou from the aspects of en-hancing the momentum of comprehensive development of Zhengzhou，improving the comprehensive level of surrounding cities，and unblocking the linkage channels between central cities and peripheral cities.