Chongqing - On January 22, Southwest China's Chongqing presented the progress of its Digital Chongqing project, showcasing three years of development in digital infrastructure. The initiative uses advanced technology, data, and AI to enhance public services, business operations, and urban management.
A member of Chongqing's professional emergency rescue team conducts outdoor illegal fire monitoring using a drone. (Photo/Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau)
A key achievement in this transformation is the establishment of an integrated public resource system that connects previously isolated data across the city. This system eliminates the "data islands" problem, allowing for seamless access and sharing of data across various sectors.
The city has also developed a unified city-wide sensing system, combining various government, market, and corporate sensors and devices, such as traffic cameras and RFID-based electronic vehicle license plates. These devices, similar to those implemented in Singapore two decades ago, help optimize traffic management and urban governance. The integration of these technologies allows for more efficient city operations and enhanced public services.
Chongqing Municipal Geographic Information System. (Photo/Chongqing Big Data Application Development Management Bureau)
Chongqing has introduced a comprehensive geospatial system with L1, L2, and L3 mapping levels. This system allows users to visualize the city's geography, urban structures, and building layouts. It aids in urban planning, disaster management, and enhances the management of land, infrastructure, and emergency responses.
Through platforms like "Yukuaizheng" and "Yukuaiban," Chongqing has created integrated online portals for government workers and the public. These platforms offer 24/7 access to public services, enabling citizens and businesses to easily navigate services such as education, business registration, and social services.
By integrating a multi-level governance system, Chongqing coordinates emergency responses across various sectors. This system has proven effective in managing thousands of cross-sector events, including over 5,500 high-rise fires, 1,100 landslides, and 83 rainfall events.
For example, during last year's torrential rainfall, the city's system enabled a swift emergency response within 3 minutes of the heavy rains, with resources mobilized in under 15 minutes. This was a significant improvement in response time, with efficiency increasing by up to 90%.
The Chongqing aviation emergency rescue team conducts aerial firefighting using helicopters. (Photo/Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau)
Additionally, Chongqing is pioneering in the digitalization of key industries, including electric vehicles (EVs). The city's "digital brain" for the EV sector links over 800 supply chain companies, helping improve production efficiency and support the growth of local manufacturers like Changan and Seres. This model allows for better coordination within the industry and increased local production, with Changan and Seres increasing their local supply chain contributions by 10% and 12%, respectively, compared to 2023.
By creating a digital integrated service system for the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Chongqing is exploring innovative logistics solutions. This system streamlines the rail-sea combined transport process, improving coordination from order placement to delivery and boosting the efficiency of cross-border trade and supply chain operations.