Chongqing - China’s Two Sessions, held in early spring each year, serve as a crucial window into the country’s economic and social development. In addition to the government’s annual work report, one of the highlights is the series of opening day events hosted in Beijing by provincial regions across the nation. 

These events enable the media to gain key insights from the speeches of the deputies to the National People’s Congress and to ask questions to them—deputies who include important government officials, renowned entrepreneurs, leading figures in education, and celebrated researchers.

Chongqing is one of China’s four municipalities directly administered by the central government, along with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. At the Chongqing delegation’s opening day on March 6, discussions among deputies most frequently centered on intelligent connected new energy vehicles (NEVs). This focus echoed Premier Li Qiang’s government work report from the previous day, in which he called for vigorous development of intelligent connected NEVs.

During the event, Yuan Jiajun, an NPC deputy and Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, stated, in response to a reporter's question, that intelligent connected NEVs are key drivers of digital civilization. To support this, Chongqing has implemented measures to integrate the "four chains"—innovation, industry, capital, and talent—while promoting coordination between the government, industry, society, and enterprises.

These efforts are designed to build a modern industrial system featuring a new model that combines an “industrial brain” with a “factory of the future.”

Zhu Huarong, Chairman of Changan Automobile and an NPC deputy, showcased the Avatr 12—a luxury model from Changan’s sub-brand—by holding it up with both hands. He revealed that 59% of its users had switched from traditional luxury models, highlighting the crucial role of new energy vehicles in the company’s transformation and upgrade.

NPC deputy Zhu Huarong presents the Avatr 12 model on the opening day of the Chongqing delegation at the 2025 Two Sessions. (Photo/Su Si, Chongqing Daily)

Electric vehicles are also experiencing a major shift in intelligence in addition to transforming energy models. Local big data entrepreneur and NPC deputy Chen Wei highlighted at the meeting the need for a strong focus on the "AI + automotive consumption" sector.

Leveraging Chongqing's automotive industry cluster, she called for collaboration among original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, financial institutions, and upstream and downstream companies, using large model technology to drive innovation and structural upgrades in the ICV and NEV sectors.

As early as 2022, Chongqing proposed building a world-class New Energy and Intelligent Connected Vehicle industry cluster. In September 2024, during a Chongqing Municipal Party Committee meeting, the strategic goal of establishing Chongqing as the capital city for ICV and NEV was explicitly set forth. Although the city produced 2.54 million vehicles in 2024—ranking first in China—its production of new energy vehicles stood at only fifth place. This ambitious goal not only reflects a bold vision but also embodies the city’s high expectations for industrial upgrading.

Beyond discussions on the automotive sector and China–Singapore cooperation, the Chongqing delegation also addressed issues related to mega-city governance, private sector development, and rural revitalization.