Chongqing - On September 27, the High-Quality Development Research Tour visited Dazu District and Tongliang District, where journalists explored the regions' strategies to promote economic growth and improve social welfare.

Diving into the depths of Dazu's cultural treasures

The first stop was the Dazu Rock Carvings Cultural and Creative Park, established in 2019 to celebrate the rich legacy of the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park focuses on developing four main industries: sculpture art, crafts, digital cultural innovation, and cultural tourism. Spanning eight square kilometers, with three already developed, the park boasts a modern industrial base supporting a range of cultural activities.

Local residents can earn their living not far from home in the Dazu Rock Carvings Cultural and Creative Park (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

During the visit, journalists were introduced to the park's key initiatives. According to Duan Yong, president of the Dazu Rock Carving Association, "Sanqu Park continuously advances the industrialization of rock and jade carvings, providing significant benefits to residents. While many processes have been automated, local workers still carry out delicate tasks like polishing, allowing them to work close to home." This reflects the park's dual commitment to preserving cultural heritage and creating local employment.

The results speak for themselves. The park has attracted twelve leading sculpture companies and employs approximately 24,000 cultural industry professionals. In the first half of 2024, it generated an industrial output value of 0.9 billion yuan, achieving a 119.5% year-on-year growth. These figures highlight the park's impact on the local economy and its role in fostering cultural pride.

Powering up: Tongliang's energy revolution

The tour then moved to Tongliang District, focusing on the district's dynamic energy sector. Tongliang has aligned its growth with the national dual carbon goals, making the new energy storage industry a primary focus. The district is leveraging cutting-edge technologies to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities, catering to both domestic and international energy needs.

During the visit to HTHIUM, Ye Zhen, the General Manager of this global leading force in energy storage, emphasized the importance of innovation in the energy sector. "We have launched a 4.0 automated manufacturing plant, where the degree of automation in most processes is extremely high, and human workers are almost invisible," he stated.

HTHIUM's automatized factory (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

Local officials echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that these initiatives aim to stimulate local employment while driving the region's overall economic growth. Tongliang’s integration of renewable energy sources and cutting-edge energy storage solutions positions it as a leader in the emerging new energy industry.

The High-Quality Development Research Tour provides a valuable platform for media, local governments, and enterprises to exchange ideas and strategies. The efforts in Dazu and Tongliang exemplify Chongqing's commitment to sustainable, high-quality development. The insights from these visits will help disseminate successful practices and strengthen collaboration across various sectors.