Chongqing - On September 9, the Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission reported that from January to August 2024, the city invested 313.85 billion yuan (about USD 44.1 billion) in 1,192 key projects, reaching 69.1% of the annual planned investment.
Highlights of investment progress of key municipal projects in Chongqing. (Graphic/Zheng Ran)
In manufacturing, key projects saw investments of 59.15 billion yuan, up 16.1%. The intelligent connected new energy vehicles sector alone received 6.6 billion yuan, boosting the integration of industry and innovation.
Significant projects included the completion of the Changan Automobile Yubei Factory green intelligent upgrade project alongside the Jiulongpo automobile and motorcycle aluminum alloy parts production line, both of which are now operational.
The upgraded production line of Changan Automobile Yubei Factory. (Photo/Changan Automobile)
A spokesperson of Changan Automobile shared insights into their factory, which began construction in January 2023. The project, valued at 10 billion yuan, is designed to produce key intelligent new energy models like the QiYuan E07 and Avita E15.
Changan Automobile's spokesperson explained that they've deployed 5G technology to link more than 12,000 devices, creating a digital twin of the entire production process. The facility features 54 lines and 1,222 stations spread across seven workshops, all integrated into a 'virtual factory.'
This setup allows for a smooth integration of physical and virtual manufacturing processes, using cloud-native and microservices architectures to enhance die-casting, machining, and stamping operations.
New-generation electronic information projects have received a focus, with 9.35 billion yuan invested. The Liangjiang Xinhui silicon carbide parts project is now operational. It aims to produce 170,000 silicon parts and 80,000 silicon carbide parts annually, with a projected output value of around 2.1 billion yuan.
Additionally, investments in advanced materials reached 11.41 billion yuan. Noteworthy projects include the Jiangjin photovoltaic encapsulation materials and products project, which has commenced operations.
The city has invested 4.5 billion yuan in science and technology innovation projects, with 75.3% of the investment completed. Notably, the main structure of the Wulong energy equipment safety research station is nearing completion.
Once finished, it will support intelligent lightning observation and research on energy equipment's adaptability and monitoring in extreme conditions.
Investment in transportation infrastructure projects has totaled 69.7 billion yuan. Key developments include railroad investments totaling 23.21 billion yuan, with the Chongqing-Yibin section between the Chongqing-Kunming high-speed railway now in trial operation.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport's fourth runway and associated facilities, along with the curtain wall of the T3B terminal building, have been completed.
Port shipping also saw significant developments, with an investment of 2.69 billion yuan in Xintian Port's second phase of four 5,000-ton berth hydraulic structures nearing completion. Built along the Yangtze River, Xintian Port is planned to be the largest inland deep-water port in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.