Chongqing - Ming Ju, Director of Chongqing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, revealed that Chongqing maintained its leadership in Western China by securing the 8th position in the country’s comprehensive scientific and technological innovation ranking last year. Additionally, Chongqing achieved the 36th spot in the 2023 Nature Index - Research Cities ranking.

The information was released at a press conference during Chongqing’s Two Sessions on January 22, along with other remarkable progress in science and technology. 

Chongqing is establishing four advanced laboratories—Jinfeng, Mingyue Lake, Guangyang Bay, and Jialing River—while expediting the development of the New Generation AI Innovation and Development Pilot Zone.

Jinfeng Laboratory is located in Western (Chongqing) Science City. (Photo/Jinfeng Laboratory)

Xu Hui, a deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress and deputy director of Jinfeng Laboratory, said that Jinfeng aims to establish “Jinfeng typing” as an internationally recognized standard for disease typing. This year’s focus is developing a “handheld in vivo pathology imaging system” to shorten diagnosis time significantly.

Jinfeng Laboratory, with a total area of 812,666 square meters, is located on Life Island by Fengqi Lake in Western (Chongqing) Science City. It will build three research clusters: smart pathology, brain science and brain diseases, and medical examination.

Jinfeng Laboratory is also working on ultra-high sensitivity single-molecule protein intelligent detection equipment that can accurately quantify thousands of proteins at the single-molecule level. This development is expected to be a significant breakthrough in biomedical research and development.

Regarding key technology, Chongqing has focused on five major scientific projects: AI, high-end devices and chips, advanced manufacturing, biomedicine, and core software. In 2023, the city initiated 137 projects with a total investment of 3.98 billion yuan ($550 million), with a substantial portion coming from municipal finances to drive social investment.

Ming highlighted the crucial role of technology-driven enterprises in driving innovation. Chongqing Aureavia Hi-tech Glass Co., Ltd. is one of these enterprises.

Bai Yibo, deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress and chairman of Chongqing Aureavia Hi-tech Glass Co., Ltd., stressed the significance of innovation-driven growth and partnerships between academia, research institutions, and businesses. Aureavia, a key domestic special glass enterprise, holds the exclusive position as the raw glass supplier for China’s C919 aircraft.

The special glass made by Chongqing Aureavia Hi-tech Glass Co., Ltd. (Photo/Chongqing Aureavia Hi-tech Glass Co., Ltd.)

The city now boasts 58,524 science and technology-based enterprises and 7,565 high-tech enterprises. Last year, Xishan Tech and Genrix Bio were listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board, marking significant achievements.

Zhang Zhikui, deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress and secretary of the Party Committee of Yongchuan District, highlighted Yongchuan’s impressive growth. In 2023, the district’s research and development increased by 27%, and its gross domestic product grew by 8.1%, ranking it among the city’s top performers.

Yongchuan now offers autonomous taxi services via a mobile app. Zhang mentioned that Yongchuan District aims to become a hub for intelligent, connected new energy vehicles, with over 30 test scenarios and an open test base covering 1,576 square kilometers. 

The district’s digital economy thrives, focusing on Sci-Fi movies and television, autonomous driving, and electronic information manufacturing. Zhang said Yongchuan plans to accelerate the construction of a modern manufacturing base, establish a Western digital economy innovation hub, and build a Western sci-fi movie city.