Chongqing -The inaugural Chongqing Design 100 Forum and Awards Ceremony was held on August 23rd. 

Launched in September 2022, the "Chongqing Design 100" selection event has, through a blend of online and offline activities—ranging from registration online voting to expert evaluations and public announcements—honored various platforms, institutions, organizations, and innovators. These recognized entities and individuals have been instrumental in steering Chongqing's path towards a coveted "Design Capital" status.

With ten national-level, 165 municipal-level, and 89 district-level industrial design centers under its belt, Chongqing is quickly making its mark on the design landscape. 

The city has also fostered 18 municipal-level industrial design research institutes. Together, these entities follow a unique Chongqing-styled industrial design innovation model. The burgeoning growth of the industrial design sector is evident, as reported by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology.

On August 23rd, the inaugural Chongqing Design 100 Forum and Awards Ceremony was held in the Bishan District of Chongqing. (Photo/The event organizer)

Zhao Gang, a Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology member, elaborated, "Industrial design sits at the helm of the modern manufacturing industry chain. It not only pioneers the manufacturing sector but is also integral to the genesis of the value chain."

Positioned as a significant fulcrum of modern manufacturing in China, Chongqing oversees all 31 primary manufacturing industry categories. Proudly, it houses the world's most expansive electronics and information industry cluster alongside the nation's largest automotive industry cluster.

Eyeing the global "Design Capital" title, Chongqing, one of China's two nominated cities, awaits the anticipated competition results in late October to early November.

He Yingkun, Director of the Industrial Culture Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, commented, "This forum offers a robust platform where industrial design and development seamlessly converge. It has been pivotal in Chongqing's 'Design Capital' aspirations, further amplifying the quality development in the manufacturing industry."

In the future, Chongqing is poised to roll out a public service platform aimed at bolstering the industrial design prowess of small to medium-sized enterprises.

The event's additional features were multifaceted. They included unveiling the "Design 100 City Innovation Network" and initiating legislative studies concerning the "Chongqing Industrial Design Revitalization Regulations."

A collaborative partnership was also inked between the Industrial Culture Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Chongqing Daily Newspaper Group. This union is set to craft and champion a gamut of industrial and cultural events, oozing distinct Chongqing flair, with initiatives like the Industrial Culture Trade Fair, Expo, Brand Competition, and other specialized events being on the agenda.

The Industrial Culture Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Chongqing Daily Newspaper Group signed the strategic cooperation on  August 23rd. (Photo/The event organizer)

Post the awards segment; the venue buzzed with experts and scholars sharing their insights through keynote addresses and immersive roundtable dialogues. Topics spanned from urban rejuvenation design-centric rural upliftment to the intricate interplay of traditional and emerging forces in the automobile industry, all while demystifying the avant-garde design and technological trends.