Chongqing- Since 2006, the Annual Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor's International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) has offered Chongqing nearly 1,000 "golden ideas" that have promoted Chongqing's high-quality development. 

As the city prepares for the 17th Annual Meeting of the CMIA on September 22,  the monumental transformations it has catalyzed over the years are reflected below.

On July 20, 2023, workers were busy on the new energy vehicle AVATR production line at the Changan Automobile factory in the Jiangbei District, Chongqing. (Photo/ Li Qianlei)

Ideas transform urban management and development

These golden ideas involve urban management, industrial development,  international cooperation, and international consumption center construction. The conference shared valuable international experience on development issues in the modern service industry, advanced manufacturing, and the Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Prominent figures such as Koichi Miyata, President of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), suggested that Chongqing build a unified platform to streamline import and export procedures and improve logistics efficiency. The introduction of China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window was a good example that benefited Chongqing and has been adopted nationwide.

Similarly, the idea of Frank Meng, chairman of Qualcomm China, to foster a unique, intelligent, connected automobile industry for Chongqing and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is now enshrined in Chongqing's government plan. Last year, the Chongqing government announced the construction of a world-class industrial cluster for intelligent connected vehicles (ICV) and new energy vehicles (NEV) by 2030.  

Consultants' recommendations witnessed a swift implementation in projects like the Chongqing Intelligent Manufacturing Implementation Plan (2019-2022) and the Guidelines for the Development of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Industry in Chongqing.

An influx of investments and resources from global giants 

High-profile projects like Corning's Gorilla Glass Project in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area have stamped Chongqing's identity as a smart manufacturing powerhouse. 

Gorilla Glass is a durable glass used in devices like smartphones. It is thin, light, and designed for scratch resistance and drop protection, making it crucial for phone manufacturing.

With an influx of investments from giants like Otis, Corning, and Hewlett-Packard, totaling over 12 billion yuan (about 1.67 billion U.S. dollars), Chongqing has solidified its manufacturing place in the global economy.

Companies like Suez Group, which offers environmental services like waste and resource management, recycling, water management, and laboratory services, have provided solutions for over 2.2 million Chongqing residents daily, further embellishing Chongqing's environmental and infrastructure standards.

Hitachi Energy, which recently announced its inauguration of a new state-of-the-art transformers factory in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, introduced cleaner energy systems and Ford's innovative EVOS production, changing Chongqing's industrial landscape. The Ford EVOS is a low-slung mid-size crossover SUV produced by Ford through Changan Ford joint venture in China since 2021.

World-class robotics companies, including ABB Group, Kawasaki, and FANUC, have set up bases in Chongqing, bolstering the city's technological capabilities in intelligent manufacturing.

Statistics from Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce show that, from January to May this year, Chongqing established 122 new foreign-owned companies, marking a 19.6% increase compared to last year.

The wisdom and experience of the advisors, hailing from global enterprise leadership positions, have provided Chongqing with unparalleled insights, aiding its quest to gather international resources, deepen collaborations, and further its open economy.