Chongqing - What do global companies see as the next opportunities in Chongqing? On September 23, executives from Adient, Vibracoustic, AT&S and HP shared their views on technology, supply chains and industrial cooperation during the 20th Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor’s International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA).
The 20th Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor's International Economic Advisory Council was held on September 22-23, 2026. (Photo/Luo Huxin)
Under the theme "Pooling Global Innovation Resources and Expanding Scientific and Technological Cooperation," the meeting brought together 32 advisers from 11 countries, including executives from 16 Fortune Global 500 companies and 16 industry-leading enterprises across manufacturing, information technology, trade and other sectors.
Dr. Michael Mertin, CEO of AT&S, said artificial intelligence, semiconductors and robotics are becoming key drivers of future urban infrastructure and economic development.
Since 2011, AT&S has been present in Chongqing. The location comprises three plants and manufactures state-of-the-art IC substrates and modules. (Photo/AT&S)
Looking ahead to China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Mertin said high-performance hardware infrastructure will remain essential for unlocking the potential of intelligent systems.
"In today's digital transformation, no company, city or country can innovate in isolation," he said, emphasizing the importance of global networks, cross-regional cooperation and the exchange of talent and expertise.
AT&S has expanded its presence in China for more than 25 years, with major production bases in Shanghai and Chongqing. In May 2026, the company announced additional investment to expand capacity at its Chongqing facility, responding to rising demand for advanced semiconductor packaging substrates driven by artificial intelligence applications.
Dr. Xiao Song, Global Executive Vice President of Siemens and Chairman of Siemens China, shared three suggestions for Chongqing's future development.
He said industrial artificial intelligence agents could help accelerate digital transformation in key sectors such as automobiles, electronics and equipment manufacturing.
"The value of industrial agents is that they can bring model capabilities into research and development, production, operation and management, turning them into real productivity," Xiao said.
He also highlighted the importance of integrating advanced manufacturing with modern services. According to Xiao, the combination of industrial software, supply chain management and digital technologies can help manufacturers move from selling individual products toward providing integrated solutions.
Siemens has introduced its industrial AI agent platform Eigen to China and is working with more than 380 customers. In Chongqing, more than 100 companies have already engaged with Siemens on related cooperation.
James Zhao, Global Executive Vice President of Hitachi Energy and Region Head North Asia, said the global transition toward electrification is increasing demand for advanced power equipment and energy solutions.
Hitachi Energy has operated in China for more than 40 years. Its Chongqing transformer facility, established in 1998, has developed into one of the company's largest transformer research and manufacturing bases worldwide, with products exported to more than 30 countries and regions, including markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The company also supplied key transformer equipment for the Hami-Chongqing ±800 kV ultra-high-voltage direct current transmission project, which delivers clean energy from Xinjiang to Chongqing.
Zhao said artificial intelligence and new power systems are increasingly interacting, creating opportunities in areas such as energy forecasting, equipment diagnostics and virtual power plants.
He suggested that Chongqing continue strengthening global innovation partnerships, developing new application scenarios and cultivating international talent with both energy expertise and AI capabilities.
Chongqing Lear Dongshi Intelligent Seating Industrial Park. (Photo/Lear Corporation)
During the meeting, 20 advisers from companies shared suggestions on strengthening innovation ecosystems and advancing the intelligent, green and integrated transformation of industries.
The plant of Air Products in Chongqing. (Photo/Air Products)
Chongqing Mayor Chen Xinwu thanked the advisers for their insights, saying that the CMIA has become an important platform for the city to expand high-level opening-up and a key channel for multinational companies to participate in Chongqing's development. He welcomed advisers to continue contributing to Chongqing's innovation-driven development and help bring more partners and talent teams to the city.