Chongqing- Building the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle into an important growth pole and a new vitality source not only helps address challenges and uncertainties in and outside China but also consolidates national strategic security.

“Chengdu and Chongqing often pride themselves on being cultured and internationally prominent,” said Yan Qi, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political and Consultative Conference and chairperson of Chongqing Taoranju Group. “Not only that, they are of great significance for the promotion of comprehensive reform and opening up, and high-quality development in China.”

Sichuan Chongqing cuisine goes global

Yan believes that food has no borders, where Sichuanese cooking has been conquering the world with its distinctive complex flavor in a wide range of food preparation includes pickling, frying, smoking, and drying. Chengdu and Chongqing share a culinary and cultural background, and dishes from both regions are known for their exclusive spicy and pungent flavors.

“Through introducing Sichuan cuisine to overseas markets,” said Yan. “Sichuan and Chongqing can hold a series of events such as the International Food Festival, spread the historical culture of Bashu, tell intriguing stories about the integration of Chengdu and Chongqing, and establish a deserved reputation for Chinese catering.”

In addition, Yan proposed another plan where the Catering Chamber of Chongqing Federation of Industry and Commerce can join hands with the Sichuan Catering Chamber of Commerce.

“In countries or regions with mature conditions, Sichuan and Chongqing catering companies can develop together and establish an ‘Overseas Chinese Food Service Center’ or ‘Chinese-funded Catering Chamber of Commerce,’” said Yan. “They are encouraged to cooperate with overseas Chinese-funded industrial parks to provide spicy food like Pock-Marked Grandma Tofu and Hot Pot, showing the Sichuan and Chongqing characteristics to the world.”

Mutual strengths for a deeper Integration

Yan thinks stimulating the integration and complementarity of advantageous industries between the two places is in accord with the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle's economic layout.

“For example, Chengdu and Chongqing can draw upon each other's strengths and advance cooperation in sectors including high technologies, talent and innovation sharing, subsidiary agricultural products, the service industry, etc.,” she said.

For instance, when it comes to the consumer goods industry, Chengdu and Chongqing can establish a modern and efficient characteristic consumer goods industry demonstration belt in the areas along the line, the river, and the border.

This way, both regions will be able to build regional characteristic brands with national influence, speed up the deep processing of agricultural and sideline products resources, create a high-standard market system, and foster a first-class business environment.

As for the integrated development of the Industrial Internet, resources including technology, talent, data, and production factors, can also be pooled to take the lead in building a demonstration zone of the industrial Internet. Through these regional, industrial, and enterprise collaboration between the two places, Yan believes a key technological innovation hub will be formed to make the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle an influential center, a shining example of reform and opening-up, and a pleasant place to live.

Regional collaboration in financial institutions

Furthermore, Yan proposed that by considering the integration of financial services and pilot projects in both regions and accelerating the establishment of policy guarantee institutions, Chengdu and Chongqing can explore a cross-regional joint credit-granting mechanism. This will support the credits and loans granted by the two places' banking institutions to enterprises within the Chengdu-Chongqing economy.

“We will aim to create an integrated and market-oriented credit investigation system in the economic circle, to promote the sharing of information resources in Chengdu and Chongqing,” said Yan.