the highest leadership or governing body of a state, political party, or organization, as opposed to local levels

A city under the direct jurisdiction of the central government; in mainland China, this refers to 北京 běi​jīng, 天津 tiān​jīn, 上海 shàng​hǎi, and 重庆 chóng​qìng, while in Taiwan, it refers to cities like 台北 tái​běi and 高雄 gāo​xióng