Chongqing - The 8th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) is being held in Chongqing from May 21 to 24, providing a platform for companies from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and other countries to explore investment opportunities and connect with local partners.
Chongqing is the gateway to western China
On May 21, the MNCs Economic and Trade Matchmaking Conference, a sub-event of the fair, kicked off, drawing over 150 representatives from Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders in environmental services, healthcare, and transportation.
At the conference, an official from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce extended an invitation to global enterprises. As an open highland in western China, Chongqing boasts a comprehensive industrial supply chain capable of providing robust support for various industrial projects.
Latest data shows that 325 Fortune 500 companies and more than 8,700 foreign-invested entities are now based in Chongqing. Foreign firms bring high-quality capital and account for about half of the city’s total import and export volume, one-tenth of tax revenue, and around one-fifteenth of urban employment.
"A German entrepreneur once confided that what he values most about Chongqing is this rare completeness of its industrial chain," the commission official noted. As a renowned manufacturing hub in China, Chongqing boasts 39 of the nation’s 41 major industrial categories and all 31 manufacturing categories.
In the automotive sector, for instance, the local matching rate for complete vehicles exceeds 70%, and core components can be sourced within a one-hour drive. In 2025, Chongqing reclaimed its crown as China's top car-producing city, with an annual output exceeding 2.78 million vehicles.
Raphael Zumsteg-Yuan, National Chairman of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in China, said that Swiss companies—renowned for precision machinery, advanced manufacturing, and numerous hidden champions—highly align with Chongqing's robust electric vehicle (EV) and electronics industries. Several Swiss firms have already rooted themselves in Southwest China, and future collaboration will focus on providing premium solutions in testing and inspection.
Beyond its solid industrial foundation, Chongqing’s cultural tourism and consumption have become a vibrant calling card. Dubbed a "Cybercity" by netizens, the magical metropolis attracted 2.1478 million inbound tourists in 2025, generating 2.398 billion U.S. dollars in tourism receipts.
Carlos Diez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, said that Chongqing is one of China's most developed tourism cities. The deep integration of smart technology and cultural tourism opens broad prospects for future cooperation, particularly in expanding training bases for high-end hospitality and luxury tourism management talent.
In terms of foreign exchange and trade, Chongqing acts as an export gateway for western China. As the logistics hub of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), Chongqing radiates south toward ASEAN—China's largest trading partner—and connects with the Yangtze River and the China-Europe Railway Express, forming a multimodal logistics network. Driven by a 47.6% year-on-year surge in 2025, cargo volume on the ILSTC surpassed 1 million TEUs, accelerating western China's global integration.
James Gallivan, Global Vice President of Werfen, noted that Chongqing's cross-border pharmaceutical distribution system, built upon the China-Europe Railway Express, also known as Yuxinou, continues to upgrade grassroots healthcare. This aligns well with the company's philosophy of advancing healthcare through innovative diagnostic technologies.
Chongqing has strong EV supply chain
In addition to traditional matchmaking, field visits have become a key avenue for multinationals to discover business opportunities. On May 22, a delegation of European corporate representatives visited Bishan District to experience Chongqing's industrial advantages and investment environment firsthand.
The delegation toured local mechanical and electrical equipment, new energy battery, and auto parts enterprises, which epitomize Chongqing's competitive manufacturing sectors.
The first stop was Chongqing Dajiang Power Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., where they visited an energy storage production line. Alexander Zoz, Founder of Advercharge GmbH, said that the facility was impressive, noting that it is rare to see such modern and highly competitive production lines in Germany today.
As a representative in mechanical and electrical equipment, the firm’s main products cover general gasoline engines and new energy storage equipment. It currently operates an overseas manufacturing base in Vietnam, exports over 90% of its products to regions including Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia, and generates an annual revenue exceeding 3.4 billion yuan (500.35 million U.S. dollars).
The delegation then visited Chongqing FinDreams Battery, a BYD subsidiary, to explore battery technologies used in BYD vehicles, before touring auto parts maker Landai Technology Group.
Patricie Krechlokova, CEO of Krechlok Technique, said: "I think the battery production and auto parts sector are Chongqing's main advantages."
She added that Chongqing possesses a complete supply chain for EVs, auto parts, and battery production. For multinationals in this field, whether sourcing components or looking to reduce costs by manufacturing in China, the city represents an ideal destination.