Chongqing - During the 2025 Two Sessions, members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from Chongqing submitted a joint proposal calling for increased national support to build a nationally influential scientific and technological innovation center in Chongqing.

The proposal builds on a series of national policies, including the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle Construction Plan Outline in October 2021, which specifically outlined the goal of building a nationally influential scientific and technological innovation center in the region. In March 2024, the Central Science and Technology Commission further integrated the Chengdu-Chongqing Regional Science and Technology Innovation Center into the national innovation system through the Regional Science and Technology Innovation System Construction Overall Plan.

The smart factory of Seres in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area. (Photo/Seres)

Chongqing has made significant strides in recent years, with its comprehensive science and technology innovation index rising to 77.77% in 2024, ranking 7th nationally and 1st in western China. The city also climbed from 88th to 39th in the Global Innovation Index's list of top innovation clusters, reflecting its growing influence on the global stage. However, the proposal highlights several challenges that need to be addressed to meet national expectations.

Key challenges

The proposal identifies three major gaps in Chongqing's current innovation landscape. First, the city lacks sufficient strategic scientific and technological resources. It has only 12 national key laboratories, accounting for just 2.3% of the national total, and only one national technology innovation center. Second, industrial innovation capabilities remain weak, with only one company listed among China's top 100 strategic emerging industry leaders and limited representation in rankings for R&D investment and patents. Third, the output of high-quality scientific and technological achievements is insufficient, with the city's high-value invention patents per 10,000 people standing at 7.15, below the national average of 11.8.

Western (Chongqing) Science City. (Photo/Zeng Cheng)

Proposed measures

The proposal outlines some key recommendations to address these challenges. One is improving strategic science and technology infrastructure. The proposal calls for national support to establish high-level innovation platforms, including the Chengdu-Chongqing Comprehensive Science Center, and the construction of major scientific facilities such as the Ultra-Transient Experimental Facility and the Large-Scale Distributed Aperture Deep Space Detection Radar.

The second recommendation concerns major science and technology projects. The proposal urges the inclusion of Chongqing’s leading technological fields in national R&D plans, particularly in areas like smart connected vehicles, next-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, and biomedicine. 

Third, the proposal turns to talent development. It emphasizes the need for Chongqing to pilot reforms in education, science, and talent systems. It advocates for establishing modern industrial and future technology institutes, increased enrollment quotas for science and technology graduate programs, and creating a model for integrating education, talent, and industry.

Chongqing's proposal reflects its ambition to become a cornerstone of China's innovation-driven development strategy. By addressing its current gaps and leveraging national support, the city aims to transform into a powerhouse of scientific and technological innovation, contributing to the nation's strategic goals while driving regional economic growth. As the proposal gains traction, stakeholders across the country will be watching closely to see how Chongqing’s vision unfolds, potentially setting a benchmark for other regions aspiring to become innovation leaders.