Chongqing - Authorities in southwest China's Chongqing municipality on January 4 outlined new policy priorities aimed at strengthening the development capacity of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, a national-level regional integration initiative designed to drive high-quality growth in western China.

Speaking at a high-level meeting held on the first working day of the new year, Gao Jian, Director of the Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, said that the economic strength of the Chengdu-Chongqing region has steadily increased since the plan was launched in 2020. 

Gao added that the combined gross domestic product (GDP) of Chongqing and neighboring Sichuan province has climbed four trillion-yuan levels in six years and is expected to exceed 10 trillion yuan (about 1.43 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025, accounting for about 7.2% of China's total economic output.

Key indicators of the development of the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle. (Graphics/Zheng Ran)

The annual meeting focused on enhancing the development capacity of the economic circle. Wang Zhijie, Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology, said the meeting set five new development goals and deployed ten new policy actions, providing a clearer implementation roadmap for advancing the initiative.

In the industrial sector, Chongqing aims to achieve 6% growth in value-added output from industrial enterprises above the designated size and 9% growth in industrial investment this year, according to Wang. 

The city will also work with Sichuan to accelerate the joint development of three new trillion-yuan-level industrial clusters, supporting the national goal of building the Chengdu-Chongqing region into China's fourth pole of regional economic development, alongside the Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Beyond manufacturing, Chongqing plans to expand its role as a financial hub in western China. An official said local authorities have promoted a smart finance program, helping total financial assets in the city exceed 9.5 trillion yuan, up 43% from the beginning of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025). He added that growth in financial sector value-added output and lending volumes in 2025 has outpaced the national average.

Key indicators of the development of the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle. (Graphics/Zheng Ran)

Cultural tourism was also highlighted as a key growth engine. The Bashu Cultural and Tourism Corridor, linking destinations across Chongqing and Sichuan, has taken shape, with new attractions such as drone light shows and heritage sites drawing visitors. Annual cross-regional tourist visits have exceeded 100 million, while inbound tourism has quadrupled over the past five years, according to official data.

Innovation-driven development remains a central pillar of the strategy. The city has strengthened its position in national and global innovation rankings, entering the list of the world's top 100 science and technology innovation centers. Chongqing has also expanded international cooperation, hosting two Belt and Road Conferences on Science and Technology Exchange and partnering with institutions in 71 countries.

Key indicators of the development of the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle. (Graphics/Zheng Ran)

Officials and researchers emphasized that improving the region's connectivity is essential to raising its overall development capacity. Zhang Yongwu, Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, said Chongqing's foreign trade is expected to grow by more than 10% in 2025, outperforming the national average. He cited progress in logistics corridors such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the China-Europe freight rail services, which have positioned Chongqing as China's first city with all five national logistics hub designations.

Looking ahead, Chongqing plans to further develop hub-based industries, upgrade free trade zones, and enhance transport and logistics efficiency, aiming to strengthen the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle's role in China's broader reform, opening-up, and high-quality development agenda.