Chongqing - At the 14th National Support to the Three Gorges Reservoir Area Economic and Trade Fair in the Chongqing Reservoir Area, a signing ceremony for major investment cooperation projects was held on October 20. Seventy-six projects were signed, with a combined investment of 123.74 billion yuan (USD 16.9 billion).
The signed projects span several key industries, including intelligent connected new energy vehicles, next-generation electronic information manufacturing, advanced materials, intelligent equipment, intelligent manufacturing, food and agricultural product processing, software, and information services.
This round of agreements attracts investment in the area's leading industries and establishes partnerships with several renowned companies nationwide. Of the signed projects, 55 are related to Chongqing, with a total investment of 78.26 billion yuan, and 21 are related to Hubei province, with a total investment of 45.48 billion yuan. Among them, eight projects have investments exceeding 5 billion yuan.
Signing Ceremony for Major Investment Cooperation Projects during the 14th National Support to the Three Gorges Reservoir Area Economic and Trade Fair in the Chongqing Reservoir Area was held on October 20. (Photo/Hou Benyan)
The successful signing and execution of these significant projects will undoubtedly drive the transformation and upgrading of the industrial landscape in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, playing a pivotal role in local economic and social development.
Advancing the transformation and development of rural energy systems
In Northeast Chongqing's Wanzhou District, 13 projects were signed, with a total investment of 23.18 billion yuan. These projects include the production of 200,000 tons of battery-grade soda ash, the industrialization of semiconductor device modules, and the annual output of 40,000 tons of tin-plated copper wire.
"Today's new signing of the battery-grade soda ash project in Wanzhou already represents an investment of two billion yuan, which will contribute significantly to the development of new energy," said Liu Xingzhong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Chongqing Xiangyu Salt Chemical Co., Ltd.
Chongqing Xiangyu Salt Chemical is situated in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area hinterland in Wanzhou District, Chongqing. It ranks among the nation's largest producers of well salt and soda ash.
"Currently, the battery grade used in China's new energy sector is relatively low. It cannot meet the high specifications and standards required for development." Liu emphasized. "At present, we are the first in China to employ newly developed patented technology to elevate soda ash to the nanometer level."
Liu added, "This enhancement in the nanometer dimension and strength will boost the performance of lithium batteries, sodium electronics, and other economic materials, thereby facilitating an upgrade in technology and efficiency."
Wanzhou is located in the core of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area on the Yangtze River, and it is also the largest city in the reservoir area. (Photo/Chen Yuting)
Yu Ji, Chairman of the Board of Chongqing Qingdian New Energy Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Energy Investment Corporation, introduced their investment projects, primarily involving a 95-megawatt centralized wind power project and distributed photovoltaic projects, with a total investment of one billion yuan.
"It's a green and clean energy source, with a focus on the efficient and clean utilization by local residents, and it represents a practical aspect of the rural energy revolution," Yu added.
It's worth noting that agricultural production contributes to approximately 8% of the national carbon emissions, and when combined with emissions from rural coal consumption, agricultural and rural greenhouse gas emissions account for approximately 15% of the total national emissions.
Advancing the transformation and development of rural energy systems can significantly reduce the national greenhouse gas emissions level, thereby positively contributing to climate change mitigation, promoting a green transition in economic and social development, and supporting the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
Wanzhou has consistently prioritized the development of advanced manufacturing, focusing on five key industries, including advanced materials, food processing, equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and new energy, along with ten distinctive industrial chains.
It steadfastly adheres to the principles of high-end, intelligent, and green development, establishing itself as a crucial modern manufacturing hub in the Chongqing-Sichuan region and the economic center of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.