Chongqing held an investment and trade promotion event in Shanghai during the ninth China International Import Expo. (Photo/the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce)

Chongqing - Chongqing secured 12 cooperation projects worth a combined 17.7 billion yuan (about 2.65 billion U.S. dollars) at the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), opening new opportunities for investment and trade across multiple sectors.

The investment and trade promotion event brought together more than 200 representatives from government agencies, businesses and trade associations. The projects span food production, mineral resources, and machinery imports and exports, reflecting growing business opportunities in western China.

For foreign-invested manufacturers, access to a well-developed local supply chain is a key factor in investment decisions. Building on its traditional industrial base, Chongqing has developed industrial clusters in the automotive, motorcycle, and electronics and information technology sectors, while expanding into new energy vehicles, advanced materials and integrated circuits. The city is home to all 31 major categories of manufacturing. In 2025, Chongqing's laptop exports reached 152.151 billion yuan, accounting for 30.2% of China's total laptop exports.

A well-established industrial ecosystem allows companies to source components, production support services and upstream and downstream partners locally, saving time and costs. Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, has its China Technical Center in Chongqing.

In Chongqing's central urban area, manufacturers can source all the components needed for automotive seats, including upholstery fabric, frames, seat tracks and motors, from local suppliers. This one-stop access to suppliers was a key reason Adient chose Chongqing for its China Technical Center. In 2025, Adient completed an expansion of its China Technical Center in Chongqing, further strengthening its capabilities in engineering design, testing and validation, and product development.

Logistics connectivity also helps companies reach wider markets. Through the China-Europe Railway Express, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Yangtze River shipping and air routes, Chongqing has built an integrated logistics network linking domestic and international markets. In the first half of 2026, Chongqing moved 184,400 TEUs through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, up 19% year on year. The cargo was valued at 32.501 billion yuan, up 15%. By the end of June, the corridor had connected with 596 ports in 128 countries and regions worldwide.

Multinational companies with long-standing operations in Chongqing have also expressed confidence in the local market through their business experience. SUEZ, a global water and waste management group, has partnered with Chongqing for 23 years. Laura Sun, senior vice president of corporate development at SUEZ Asia, said Chongqing is the city where SUEZ has its deepest roots and longest-standing presence in China. During the 2025 CIIE, SUEZ signed an agreement to invest an additional 40 million yuan in expanding a project in Chongqing. Its total investment in the city now exceeds 6 billion yuan.

French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has also continued to expand its presence in Chongqing. Since opening its first store in the city in 2014, Decathlon has grown its local network to seven stores, with its services reaching nearly 10 million local residents. Yang Mulin, vice president of Decathlon China, said: "A stable market and the city's vibrant atmosphere have strengthened our commitment to a long-term presence in Chongqing."

The Hong Kong Chinese Industry and Commerce Association also sees value in Chongqing's strategic location. Chen Feng, the chamber's executive chairman, said Chongqing benefits from both policy and geographic advantages as a key hub in western China, connecting with markets along the Belt and Road and serving China's western hinterland. 

He said the chamber plans to identify resources across Chongqing's key industrial chains and build channels for capital cooperation between Chongqing and Hong Kong. The aim is to encourage Hong Kong companies to invest in Chongqing while helping Chongqing businesses expand overseas through Hong Kong.

For Chongqing, the CIIE is not only a platform for showcasing investment opportunities but also an important year-round channel for attracting investment and connecting with global resources. An official with the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce said the city would also hold a matchmaking event for multinational companies and send several investment promotion teams to visit exhibitors, promote Chongqing's strengths and encourage more expo visitors to become investors.