Chongqing- The urban core at the heart of southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality is working hard to build a world-famous business district, according to a press conference on December 23. By 2025,  a total of 500 internationally renowned brands will be brought together and achieve the total retail sales of consumer goods exceeding 100 billion yuan, from Huang Maojun, Deputy Secretary of Yuzhong District Committee.

The area of Jiefangbei and Chaotianmen is regarded as the core of Chongqing, also is a witness of the city's history. Chongqing's first commercial pedestrian street, modern shopping center, foreign financial institutions, five-star hotels are all open here. It is the birthplace of the city's modern commerce, and it has the deepest historical and cultural heritage of trade and business.

Build a consumption landmark

According to Huang, Chongqing will build the core axis of Chaotianmen-Jiefangbei-Tongyuanmen with a length of 3 kilometers, connecting diverse commercial buildings, historical-cultural relics, and famous scenic spots. It will carry complex high-end resources, commercial business, modern finance, and cultural tourism functions.

In terms of building a core area of high-end brands, the business district will gather 500 internationally renowned brands in apparel, watches, and jewelry. The number of global and national brand center stores, urban flagship stores, and boutiques will exceed 100, the occupancy rate of high-end brands will reach 80%. "The update speed of product categories was synchronized globally," said Huang.

Deepen international exchanges

"The area of Jiefangbei and Chaotianmen is the opening-up window of Chongqing. It can be said that this area has a good foundation, favorable conditions, and a good vision for building a world-famous business district," addressed Wang Yong, Executive Deputy of the Yuzhong District Committee.

It should adhere to openness to gather international elements and improve the supply of goods and services with an open mind. For example, introduce the consulate general and transnational corporations to create an international business island and a cluster of foreign affairs organizations in Chongqing.  

Also, it is necessary to fully release the effects of policies as the 144-hour transit visa exemption and cultivate a number of tax-free shops, with the aim to improve the convenience of foreigner's consumption. Continue to expand its external influence and international reputation by holding high-level forums and professional summits, such as the related New Land-Sea Channel, the China-Singapore Summit Future Finance, the Smart China Expo, etc.

Highlight Chongqing features 

"To build a world-famous business district in Chongqing, we must first benchmark the world-renowned business districts such as the Champs Elysées in Paris and the Fifth Avenue in New York, using them as case templates to absorb good experience and practices. At the same time, we should highlight and make its own characteristics based on ourselves," said Deng Guanghuai, Deputy Chief of the Yuzhong District Committee.

Creating a showcase of Bayu culture is one aspect of the construction. "We will integrate tradition and modernity, classic and fashion, to make the Jiefangbei-Chaotianmen business district more warm and qualified with histories," continued Deng, "We adhere to cultural guidance, commercial support, and tourism to accelerate the construction of Chongqing Art District along the river, attracting international and domestic cultural exhibitions and performances to premiere in Yuzhong."