Chongqing - The upcoming 18th Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor's International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) features industry leaders from Fortune 500 companies and multinationals, key to advancing new quality productive forces. 

Great Wall Motor Chongqing Smart Factory. (Photo/Zheng Ran)

The concept of new quality productive forces, introduced in 2023, emphasizes advanced productivity that transcends traditional economic growth models. Characterized by high-tech, high efficiency, and high quality, this approach aligns with innovative development philosophies essential for modern economies.

Chongqing is rapidly advancing its "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system, focusing on three key industrial clusters: electronic information manufacturing, intelligent connected new energy vehicles, and advanced materials. The city also strengthens six core industrial sectors, presenting significant investment opportunities for companies interested in its growth.

Many advisors are already active in Chongqing. A notable example is the partnership between STMicroelectronics and Tianhe Intelligence and Control (Chongqing) Co., Ltd., which inaugurated a joint open laboratory in April. This marks STMicroelectronics' first talent training base in China dedicated to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

In addition, STMicroelectronics donated 25 sets of GNSS IC (Integrated Circuits) evaluation equipment to Chongqing Software Institute, where they plan to conduct practical teaching and align education with industrial demand in fields such as automotive software and artificial intelligence. 

"This initiative will help Chongqing cultivate more talents in the satellite navigation systems sector," said a representative from STMicroelectronics.

The CMIA's contributions go beyond STMicroelectronics. Corning plans to establish a Gorilla Glass furnace in Chongqing, which will localize the production of its high-end cover glass, which clients like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi use. This move will also boost the city's glass industry's technological capabilities.

Similarly, Ericsson, which has operated in Chongqing since 1994, has established a regional technical service center, fostering a pool of communication technology experts and assisting in local telecommunications upgrades.

As Chongqing speeds up the construction of "Digital Chongqing," the demand for advanced technologies like big data, cloud computing, and AI is rising. The CMIA plays a crucial role in this transformation. During the 13th CMIA, Yubei District signed a memorandum with Microsoft to launch Microsoft Cloud, Chongqing's first AI accelerator, enhancing the region's tech ecosystem.

Siemens Transportation Group Inc. has signed an agreement with Chongqing Liangjiang New Area to establish a 5G Competence Center for Intelligent Transportation, serving as a research and development hub for smart transport solutions. This marks Siemens' first center in China, showcasing Chongqing's potential as a hub for smart city innovation.

Chongqing is also renowned for its night views, thanks in part to advancements in lighting technology. Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, has been involved in the city's nightscape planning to reduce energy consumption across the entire lighting system.

Chongqing night view. (Photo/Zheng Ran)

"We aim to help Chongqing keep lighting energy consumption restricted to 10% of the energy consumption by 2030," stated a Signify representative.

BP Group pointed out that in green development, Chongqing has unique advantages in building green logistics, particularly in hydrogen energy utilization. With abundant natural gas, chemical, and hydropower resources, along with a robust automobile manufacturing sector, Chongqing is set to become a significant market for hydrogen vehicles in the future.

"We're excited to partner with Chongqing on green logistics solutions and explore new energy opportunities," a BP Group representative said.