Chongqing - On September 18, a press conference announced that Chengkou County, in northernmost Chongqing, is advancing its "33618" modern manufacturing cluster, focusing on food processing, agricultural products, Chinese medicinal materials, and new energy.

The aerial photo of Chongqing's Chengkou County. (Photo/Chengkou County)

The county has successfully developed two industrial clusters, each worth over five billion yuan. One focuses on cultivating Chinese medicinal materials, spanning 380,000 acres, while the other specializes in Chengkou bacon production, with an annual output of over 12,000 tons.

Chengkou is also prioritizing transportation infrastructure. The Chengkou Station of the Xi'an-Chongqing High-Speed Railway is scheduled to be completed and operational by 2028. Once finished, travel times will be significantly reduced: 50 minutes to Xi'an, 90 minutes to Chongqing's downtown, and 120 minutes to Chengdu.

In recent years, Chengkou has expanded the supply of high-quality products suited to local conditions, fostering the growth of over 20 leading enterprises.

For example, Chengkou bacon, a product with over 2,500 years of history, is made using a secret traditional recipe and has been recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage. 

A picture of Chengkou bacon. (Photo/Chengkou County)

It stands apart from other types of bacon as the only time-honored brand in China, with a market value of 690 million yuan. 

Chengkou bacon shares similarities with Spain's famous Iberian ham. Both are produced from traditional pig breeds raised in high-altitude environments and fermented at low temperatures, free of nitrites.

Currently, Chengkou bacon is available in nearly 30 regions across China and is exported to over ten countries and regions worldwide.

Notably, the bacon industry has become a key economic driver for the county, with over 60% of local farmers participating in the production chain and boosting household incomes by an average of 12,000 yuan annually.