Chongqing - Chongqing has taken the lead in global laptop production for eleven years, said Gao Jian, director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, at a briefing here on August 29.
In a previous briefing held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing on August 25, Wang Jun, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs shed more light on Chongqing's capability in laptop production.
Led by six major global information technology companies, an industrial cluster grouping more than 2,300 upstream and downstream enterprises involved in complementary businesses has taken shape in Chongqing, according to Wang.
The city is now the biggest laptop production base in the world, with one in every three laptops manufactured worldwide being Chongqing-made, Wang added.
At the briefing on August 29, Gao Jian said Chongqing became the first city in central and western China with economic output above 3 trillion yuan ($419 billion) and per capita GDP surpassing 100,000 yuan ($13,987).
The city's economy grew at an average of 5.7% annually between 2021 and 2024, according to Gao.
City view of Chongqing. (Photo/Zheng Lan)
By 2024, the operating income of industrial enterprises above the designated size reached 2.8 trillion yuan, while the service sector added 1.8 trillion yuan. Chongqing boosted output of intelligent connected new energy vehicles from 43,000 in 2020 to 953,000 in 2024. High-performance aluminum from Southwest Aluminum was applied in the C919 passenger jet, and both revenue and jobs in the software sector doubled.
Research and innovation advanced quickly. R&D spending grew 11% annually, 11 national key labs were reorganized, and breakthroughs came in automotive-grade chips and high-power drive motors. The city's global scientific research ranking rose from 98th in 2020 to 40th in 2024.
Retail sales of consumer goods exceeded 1.6 trillion yuan in 2024, placing Chongqing second among Chinese cities. Officials linked this to its development as an international consumption center, supported by new retail formats and tourism attractions.
On infrastructure, urban rail expanded from 344 kilometers to 582 kilometers. Districts such as Bishan and Jiangjin now connect to downtown in 30 minutes, improving regional commuting.
The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Project on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) marked its 10th year, with Singapore becoming Chongqing's largest foreign investor and ASEAN its top trading partner. New consulates opened for Belarus and Myanmar, and 10 new sister-city partnerships were added.
Chongqing also strengthened transport links. The China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) led the nation in train services. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor reached 574 ports in 127 countries and regions. Jiangbei International Airport's new Terminal 3B made it the first inland airport in China with four runways. A direct shipping line to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port for 10,000-ton vessels also began operation.
The city promoted its "15-minute life circle," providing residents with nearby access to schools, hospitals, and elderly care. Officials said this improved daily convenience.
Chongqing's energy consumption per GDP unit was more than 30% below the national average, and the city recorded over 325 days of good air quality annually.
Digital governance expanded as well. A new public data system now integrates citywide and district-level management. AI-powered digital twin models were used to manage underground pipelines and high-rise fire safety, helping the city respond to 18 rounds of heavy rainfall and 77 days of record heat in 2024.