Chongqing - The Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, a key driver of economic growth in Western China, is accelerating its development. On March 25, the Chongqing government highlighted the need to strengthen synergies between Sichuan and Chongqing, focusing on building world-class advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting a trillion-yuan new energy automobile industry.
The urban landscape of Chengdu and Chongqing. (Photo/ Chongqing Broadcasting Group)
The meeting underscored collaborative efforts to develop a robust “Artificial Intelligence +” action plan and to foster the growth of modern productive service industry clusters. Leaders from both regions also emphasized the importance of strengthening Western China’s financial sector, with a focus on building a cross-provincial digital financial service platform and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border financial services.
Significant infrastructure achievements over the past five years were also highlighted. The Zhengzhou-Chongqing high-speed railway is now operational, along with the first 10,000-ton terminal at Chongqing’s Xinsheng Port. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport has opened, and construction of a new airport in Chongqing is underway, further facilitating industrial synergy between the two cities.
Industrial cooperation between Chongqing and Sichuan continues to thrive—particularly in the automotive sector. In Yibin, Sichuan, the CATL Changan power battery base produces one electric core every second. In Chongqing’s Yubei District, the Changan Automobile Digital Intelligence Factory assembles one new vehicle every 60 seconds, powered by batteries manufactured in Sichuan.
To support this collaboration, a supply-demand platform has been established with over 2,000 vehicle and component manufacturers. CATL Changan Power Battery Co., Ltd.—a joint venture among CATL, Deepal, and Changan Automobile—plays a key role in this ecosystem.
The scale of the regional auto industry is expanding rapidly. Together, Sichuan and Chongqing now produce one out of every seven vehicles in China. The region has also become a global electronics hub, manufacturing two-thirds of the world’s iPads, nearly 80 million laptops, and over 100 million smartphones annually.
The digital economy is another area of deep collaboration. The two regions are working to establish a comprehensive digital industry chain and have emerged as a national center for industrial internet innovation. To date, more than 40 billion industrial internet labels have been registered across Sichuan and Chongqing.
Emerging industries—such as the low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, and commercial space—are also gaining momentum. The regions are actively promoting drone logistics, low-altitude tourism, and emergency response services. In the space sector, joint efforts are underway to industrialize commercial space applications, including satellite launches and related technologies.
The Chengdu-Chongqing region is increasingly integrated into global trade networks. The China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) now connects nearly 120 cities across Asia and Europe, with over 5,700 freight train trips in 2024—accounting for one-third of the country’s total. To the south, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), with Chongqing and Sichuan as core hubs, now links 560 ports in 127 countries and regions. In 2024, the corridor recorded a 41% year-on-year increase in cargo volume and a 67% surge in cargo value.
Chongqing’s rail-based exports are booming, with automobile exports up by more than 60% and new energy vehicle exports rising an impressive 563% in January 2025 alone.
Professor Yi Miao of Chongqing Technology and Business University stressed the importance of advancing regional innovation to strengthen China’s global competitiveness. He also emphasized the need to explore modern governance models for megacities and to develop a scalable "Chengdu-Chongqing model" that could guide other regions.
Yi further noted the growth potential of emerging sectors such as the First Economy, low-altitude economy, health industry, and silver economy. He underscored the role of culture and tourism as core pillars driving future economic development and enhancing the region’s global influence.