Chongqing—The 19th Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor’s International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) will be held on September 25–26. Thirty senior executives from multinational companies across 11 countries, including global giants such as Aptiv, Hitachi Energy, Ford Motor, and SK Group, are set to attend. This year’s meeting will focus on artificial intelligence applications and how global expertise can drive Chongqing’s industrial transformation and sustainable growth.
The 18th CMIA, held in 2024, brought 24 Fortune 500 companies to participate. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commerce Commission)
Since its launch in 2006, CMIA has become a vital platform for Chongqing’s opening up. Its members—drawn from Fortune 500 companies and major multinationals—not only provide strategic advice but also help turn cooperation projects into reality. Over the past 18 years, their efforts have contributed to landmark investments, including Changan Ford, Corning Gorilla Glass, and SK Hynix, which have both upgraded Chongqing’s industries and created new gateways for multinationals to tap into Western China.
This year's meeting, “Building a Hub for AI Applications to Power High-Quality Industrial Development,” highlights Chongqing’s ambition to integrate AI into its automotive, electronics, and equipment manufacturing sectors. With its strong industrial base and abundant research resources, the city is collaborating with council members to accelerate the transition from “manufacturing” to “intelligent manufacturing,” unlocking broader potential across various industries.
According to Ye Lina, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Commerce Commission, multiple projects from council members have been moving forward in the past year. SUEZ is investing billions of yuan in water and environmental projects. STMicroelectronics has launched China’s first local 8-inch silicon carbide wafer production line in Chongqing, and Air Products is expanding cooperation within local industrial parks.
Ye noted that this year’s meeting will also facilitate new rounds of collaboration with companies, including Adient, SK Group, and Air Products.
As China’s largest municipality with a population of over 30 million, Chongqing combines a complete industrial ecosystem with a growing role as a testing ground for AI applications. From its traditional strengths in automobile manufacturing to new fields such as transportation, environmental protection, and public services, the city offers multinational companies not only a vast market but also fertile ground to bring cutting-edge technologies into practice.