Chongqing - As China’s annual “two sessions” take place, the government work report emphasizes the need to develop new, high-quality productive forces and accelerate the development of a modernized industrial system. In line with this vision, Chongqing is strengthening its role as an industrial powerhouse in western China. 

With a strong focus on major projects, key enterprises, and the "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system, the city drives high-quality development and fosters emerging industries while upgrading traditional sectors.

New energy vehicles are pictured at a smart factory of Changan Auto in Chongqing, southwest China, Jan. 9, 2025. Chongqing, a key hub of the country's automotive industry, boasts a complete auto industrial chain and has registered a rapid growth in new energy vehicle (NEV) production in recent years. (Photo/Wang Quanchao, Xinhua)

Modernize existing sectors and cultivate emerging fields

At Chongqing Aureavia Hi-tech Glass Co., Ltd., a smartphone dropped from 2.5 meters remains intact, thanks to billions of nanocrystals embedded in the glass. This cutting-edge technology, now used in high-end domestic smartphones and the domestic C919 aircraft, demonstrates how local enterprises drive high-tech manufacturing.

Across Chongqing, industries are embracing innovation—modernizing existing sectors while cultivating emerging fields to optimize resource allocation and ensure sustainable development.

Chongqing’s push for digitalization is evident in Chongqing Changfeng Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd., a 60-year-old enterprise that has enhanced efficiency and safety through AI monitoring, remote operations, and automation. Digital upgrades have improved production efficiency by 28%, cut operational costs by 25%, and boosted energy efficiency by 20%.

By 2024, the city had built 183 smart factories and 1,096 digital workshops. By 2027, it aims to digitally transform 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises and integrate 150,000 businesses into cloud-based digital ecosystems.

Chongqing fosters strategic industries such as hydrogen energy, micro-LED displays, and blood purification technology. The city also invests in next-generation fields, including satellite internet, biomanufacturing, and advanced materials.

“We will strengthen technological breakthroughs, integrate industrial innovation, and cultivate new economic drivers,” said Ming Ju, the director of Chongqing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. This includes AI-driven advancements in future medicine, robotics, low-altitude economy, and green energy.

Industrial brain and future factories fuel future growth

Chongqing is building a digital manufacturing ecosystem through its “Industrial Brain + Future Factories” initiative. At Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Co. Ltd., an integrated industrial platform streamlines production by automatically assigning machine parameters, boosting efficiency and customization.

Suppose the “Industrial Brain” serves as an industrial knowledge hub with deep learning capabilities, component integration, and scenario-based solutions. In that case, the “Future Factory” is a high-efficiency manufacturing system composed of new applications, smart factories, digital workshops, and intelligent equipment. Such “Future Factories” are increasingly common in Chongqing’s manufacturing sector.

This model is being implemented across key industries, with plans to establish 20+ “Industrial Brains” and 20+ “Future Factories” by 2027, further enhancing intelligent manufacturing.

Chongqing has launched 125 innovation platforms, achieved breakthroughs in 66 key technologies, and supported 30 major national projects. R&D investment among industrial enterprises above the designated size has reached 1.76%, ranking fourth nationwide.

The city aims to increase its industrial output to 4 trillion yuan by 2027, with manufacturing contributing 28% of GDP and the added value of strategic emerging industries accounting for 36% of value-added industrial output.

By the end of 2024, Chongqing had built 183 smart factories and 1,096 digital workshops. The city also developed three national and five specialized industrial internet platforms, 133 national-level green factories, and 12 green industrial parks, with energy consumption per unit industrial value added 10% lower than the national average. Additionally, Chongqing nurtured seven unicorns, 16 potential unicorns, and 147 gazelle enterprises.

With strong momentum in innovation and digitalization, Chongqing is shaping the future of high-tech manufacturing and industrial growth.

(Xia Yuan, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)