Yubei District, a hub for airport economy, witnessed a concentration of projects on May 23 during the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), where Chongqing's Yubei District signed seven high-quality projects in one go. These projects include the Digital Music Exchange Center (National Digital Music Industry Base Chongqing Park), Fintech, and China Unicom (Western) Digital Eco-Industrial Park, spanning sectors such as software and information technology, finance, automotive, equipment manufacturing, film and television, and culture, with a total contracted investment of RMB13.1 billion. The ultra-modern Yubei Pavilion. Photo by Wang Tianxiang The new projects provide new impetus for economic and social development. A relevant official from the Yubei District Commission of Commerce stated that among these projects, two projects, namely the International Digital Music Exchange Center and China Unicom (Western) Digital Eco-Industrial Park, were included in the on-site signing of the municipality's major projects; CT Fintech Project was included in the special signing of the municipality's "Starry Sky" action plan; and the remaining four projects were included in the off-site signing. The official said that the International Digital Music Exchange Center invested by Newmidir (Chongqing) Operation and Management Co., Ltd. mainly constructs the Central Park music IP, industrial park, and international digital music platform. It focuses on creating the Central Park Music Festival, inviting celebrity artists to carry out cultural and artistic performances, and attracting the headquarters of the music and other industries to settle in the industrial park. The digital music platform takes "digital musicians" as the core direction, covering many development directions in the music market, such as music content and copyright management, digital music and new technologies, cross-border cooperation and pan-entertainment, artist management and live performances, investment and financing in the music industry, MCN and short-videos, urban music and music towns. It is understood that Unicom (Chongqing) Industrial Internet Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary with independent legal personality established by China Unicom Digital Technology Co., Ltd. in Chongqing. It is the first industrial Internet company established by a central SOE in Chongqing. The company is responsible for the project operation within the Big Data Valley Park, and is making every effort to build the China Unicom (Western) Digital Eco-Industrial Park project. The project focuses on smart cities, digital government, industrial internet, ecological protection, medical health and other industries. It actively serves the national strategy of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle", leverages its radiating and leading role in Western China, and aims to build a highland for technological innovation and value creation in the region. By effectively supporting digital transformation across various fields, it will provide new impetus for the high-quality development of the economy and society, and boost the high-quality growth of Chongqing's digital economy. All-terrain Drone Detection and Countermeasure Vehicle. Photo by Zhang Linsen The National Airport Economic Demonstration Zone exerts unlimited magnetic force At this WCIFIT, with the theme of "National Airport Economic Demonstration Zone", Yubei District conducted a concentrated display around industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, next-generation electronic information manufacturing, advanced materials, intelligent equipment and intelligent manufacturing, food and agricultural product processing, etc. It exhibited highly representative "hardcore" exhibits such as functional autonomous vehicle/robots, 3D vision positioning 6-axis industrial robots, vehicle-road collaborative in-loop simulation systems, all-terrain drone detection and countermeasure vehicles, and "One Specialty per Township". Why is Yubei favored by numerous projects? As the "Gateway to Chongqing", Yubei District has obvious advantages in location, industry, and system. Yubei District, which is located in the northern part of Chongqing's central urban area, is one of the first national airport economic demonstration zones, the first national civilized city in western China, and also known as the hometown of martial arts in the country. This district is home to open platforms such as Liangjiang New Area, the first state-level development and opening-up new area in inland China, Chongqing Free Trade Zone, the only "water port + airport" bonded port area in China, and Yuelai International Convention and Exhibition City, the largest convention and exhibition center in the western region. It is the main front for high-level opening-up in Chongqing. In 2023, the regional GDP reached RMB244.26 billion, ranking first among all districts and counties in the city in terms of total volume. Exhibition area of Xiantao International Big Data Valley. Photograph courtesy of the Commerce Commission of Yubei District In addition, as an important carrier of two trillion-yuan industries in Chongqing, Yubei District accounts for one-third and one-half of the city's output value in the automotive and electronic information industries respectively. It has formed the largest modern manufacturing base in Chongqing, as well as an important production and export base for intelligent terminals. Among them, the "Innovation and Intelligence Core" of Xiantao International Big Data Valley has a strong driving force and has been rated as a national new industrialization industry demonstration base in the field of software and information services. The science and innovation ecosystem in the whole district is favorable, with a deep integration of the digital and real economies. The total added value of the core digital economy industries ranks first in the city. "Planting good paulownia trees will attract phoenixes". The relevant official of Yubei District said that currently, the whole district is closely focused on the goal of continuously creating a world-class business environment. It is constantly establishing mechanisms, optimizing policies, grasping implementation, and promoting innovation, achieving new results in optimizing the business environment. This enables merchants to enter, stay, and develop well, and continuously enhances the sense of gain, recognition, and happiness of enterprises and the public. Source: Upstream News (www.cqcb.com)

196 major projects were signed on-site, reaching a new high in previous sessions! The 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) opened in Chongqing on May 23. With the theme of "New Western China, New Manufacturing, New Services", it focuses on the word "new" and serves the western region in integrating into the new development paradigm, cultivating new quality productive forces, and shaping new momentum and new advantages. This is the first international exhibition themed on the western regions after the Symposium on Boosting Development of China's Western Region in New Era. At the WCIFIT, these major projects were signed in a single ceremony, outlining a new vision for the development of western China. Focus on one "harmony": open cooperation The WCIFIT is a window for Western China provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities to connect with the world and explore opportunities. Fortune Global 500 enterprises such as Walmart and Continental AG, more than 1,700 enterprises from 40 countries and regions as well as 27 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities directly in China participated in the exhibition and conference. The participants also included heads and experts of domestic and foreign business associations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The signed projects involve 12 foreign-funded projects with a formal contract value of RMB26.724 billion yuan, covering fields such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, intelligent equipment and intelligent manufacturing, and modern finance, and involving 12 countries and regions including Russia, Spain, and Japan. Projects include Spain-based Applus+ Testing Service Laboratory Project, Japan-based AFC China Headquarters Production Project, and Huate Power Greater China Methanol-reformed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack R&D and Production Project... A number of foreign-invested projects have been launched in Western China. This WCIFIT is also a major platform for the cooperative development of western China provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities. All 12 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities in Western China have sent representatives to participate in various activities. Sichuan has served as the Guest Province of Honor of the WCIFIT for five consecutive years. It will not only build a themed exhibition booth to showcase advanced technologies and products, but also hold a series of economic and trade exchange activities and conduct on-site inspections and negotiations in Chongqing. Visitors tour the 6th WCIFIT, May 23. Photograph courtesy of reporter Wang Quanchao, Xinhua News Agency Focus on one "new": innovative development Including "new manufacturing" in the theme of this WCIFIT aims to use the fair as a platform to boost the industrial transformation and upgrading in Western China. The contracted projects fully demonstrate the characteristics of "new quality productive forces": projects such as the wind and solar power generation and portable energy storage battery project for new charging piles, the construction project of a new alloy material production base, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Southwest Intelligent Manufacturing Base for Nano New Materials... Strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, and new-generation electronic information are accelerating their layout in western China. Entering the exhibition area, innovative elements come rushing towards you. At this WCIFIT, Changan Automobile globally launched the Changan Deepal G318; Formoive (Chongqing) Innovative Technology launched the Xiaoming V1 Ultra smart projector; SevnceRobotics launched the explosion-proof quadruped robot... Innovative products such as various intelligent connected new energy vehicles, industrial robots, gene detection instruments, and Braille e-readers are dazzling. Staff introduce exhibits to visitors at the 6th WCIFIT, May 23. Photograph courtesy of Zhang Ziyu, Xinhua News Agency Create a "connection": efficient circulation From the energy and transportation sectors to the technology field, infrastructure projects are one of the focuses of the signed projects at this WCIFIT, which will help Western China fill the gaps in infrastructure. The second-phase project of Haijing Oil (Guang'an) refined oil storage and wholesale, China Resources' 200,000-kilowatt wind power project, the China Southern Power Grid Comprehensive Energy Project, the China Unicom (Western) Digital Eco-Industrial Park project... A number of infrastructure projects are targeting the bottlenecks that hinder the smooth flow of factors, and are intensively being launched in western provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities such as Chongqing, Sichuan and Guizhou. This year's WCIFIT also specially sets up an exhibition area for the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Western China, presenting to visitors the achievements made by the "13 + 2" provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities in the high-level co-construction of this new corridor. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has transformed from "a single line" to "a network". When it was launched in 2017, there was only one logistics route. Now, it has expanded to 514 ports in 123 countries around the world, and the circulation of factors in Western China is becoming increasingly smooth. Through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the whole Musang King durians imported from Malaysia made their debut at the WCIFIT for the first time. More and more new products are entering the western region along this new corridor, empowering the opening up and development of Western China. Openness, innovation, and connectivity. Each project reflects the surging trends in advancing the Western Development in the new era, demonstrating the resilience and vitality of China's economy. Source: workercn.cn

The 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) opened on May 23. Red Star News (chengdu.cn) learned from the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Economic Cooperation that more than 40 cutting-edge "Sichuan intelligent manufacturing" products made their debut, while a batch of industrial projects were signed and earmarked for the province, accelerating construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle. At the fair's opening, the Sichuan Pavilion - built around the theme "Sichuan-Chongqing Together, Coordinated Development" - unveiled four themed zones: Joint Sichuan-Chongqing Projects, Sichuan Intelligent Manufacturing, Sichuan Power Hub, and Sichuan Quality Items. Exhibits spanned intelligent manufacturing, AI systems, food and textiles; signature items such as "Sichuan Tea" and "Sichuan Liquor" were also on display. The Sichuan Intelligent Manufacturing zone drew a steady stream of professional visitors. At the Chengdu Timestech Co., Ltd. stand, Belarusian buyer Valeria Sokol was deep in conversation with sales manager Sun Nengzhi. "We're a high-tech drone developer and manufacturer," Sun explained. "Our drones and integrated air-space-ground AI command platforms serve emergency response and other sectors. Last year we opened a factory in Europe." Sichuan's "new trio" of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products is also on display. Sichuan Dongci New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. is showcasing solar cells produced at its Yibin plant. Huang Ruolan, the company's process engineer, noted that the Yibin plant is a fully 5G-connected intelligent manufacturing of the future. All equipment is linked via 5G networks, and AGV shuttles can pinpoint any production-line unit in seconds to handle transport tasks, significantly boosting efficiency. More than 50 buyers toured the Sichuan Pavilion on opening day to explore partnerships and opportunities. A spokesperson for the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Economic Cooperation said the province will use WCIFIT to deepen supply-chain collaboration with Chongqing in automobiles, electronics and new energy, and to strengthen trade ties with domestic and overseas partners During the fair, Sichuan's participating cities and prefectures held targeted talks and signed a slate of industrial projects. Guang'an, for example, clinched 3 agreements on WCIFIT. "As a neighbor of Chongqing, we brought 50-plus enterprises to highlight our strengths in advanced materials, electronics and biomedicine," said a spokesperson for Guang'an Bureau of Economic Cooperation. "We will continue small-team investment missions to secure even more projects." Data released for 2023 show the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle generated a combined GDP of RMB 8.19 trillion. The two cities have jointly built 3 national advanced-manufacturing clusters and 4 national strategic-emerging-industry clusters; the region's electronic-information sector alone exceeds RMB1.6 trillion and is charging toward world-class status. The Chengdu-Chongqing China-Europe Railway Express now serves 112 cities across Eurasia, with 16,000 cumulative departures, cementing the area's role as a growth pole and power source driving high-quality development in Western China. Source: Red Star News (chengdu.cn)

On May 24, eight inspection-and-testing projects worth a combined RMB1.15 billion were signed as part of the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), under a dedicated session on "Testing and Inspection Services for High-quality Development of Modern Manufacturing Theme Activities." Contracts signed on site at the "Testing and Inspection Services for High-quality Development of Modern Manufacturing Theme Activities" event. Photograph courtesy of Li Yiming, reporter from CQNews A spokesperson for the Chongqing Administration for Market Regulation Administration stated that inspection and testing constitute a key component of the producer services. The eight projects signed on site include the "5G Communications Product Quality Inspection and Testing Center Project," the "SPIC Central Research Institute Energy-Storage Testing Center Project," and the "GenVista Digital Genetic Testing Center Project." Upon implementation, these projects will markedly enhance Chongqing's high-end inspection and testing capabilities in 5G communications, robotics, new-energy and energy-storage technologies, and digital printed-circuit boards (PCBs), providing stronger support for the high-quality development of modern manufacturing. In addition, this WCIFIT has set up a dedicated "Chongqing Inspection and Testing Achievement Zone," inviting 35 renowned domestic and international inspection and testing organizations to exhibit. The zone centrally displays the service capabilities, advanced methods and equipment of Chongqing, the Western China and selected developed areas. Concurrently, targeted exchange and matchmaking sessions have been organized. Addressing gaps in the municipality's high-end and frontier inspection and testing capabilities, leading institutions are invited to share expertise and to intensify efforts to attract and cultivate high-end inspection and testing services in information software, intelligent equipment and other key sectors. Source: CQNews (www. cqnews.net)

On the afternoon of May 23, at the far end of exhibition hall N2 in the Chongqing International Expo Center, a packed press conference and matchmaking session was under way. Entrepreneurs took to the stage to introduce their teams and projects with passion, while representatives of science and technology enterprises, venture-capital firms, incubators and pilot-scale platforms filled the audience seats. Titled "Convergence of Innovation Achievements, Joint Advancement of Industry," the release and matching of industrial innovation achievements was a key highlight of the sixth WCIFIT. Through the release of curated achievement lists, on-site roadshows and signing ceremonies, the session enabled domestic and international enterprises, universities, research institutes, investors, incubators and pilot-scale platforms to engage face-to-face, creating a bridge that seamlessly integrates scientific innovation with industrial innovation. The release of the Lists of Industrial Innovation and Sci-Tech Innovation Achievements at the 6th WCIFIT, Chongqing International Expo Center, May 23, 2024. (Photograph courtesy of reporter Cui Li / Visual Chongqing) Two catalogues of 100 achievements released At the event, organisers unveiled two updated lists: 100 industrial innovation achievements with high commercialisation potential and 100 industry-ready innovations with strong market prospects. Each seat held two booklets whose back covers carried QR codes. Scanning them opened a mobile page that presented both catalogues, covering fields such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles and next-generation electronic information manufacturing. "The list of sci-tech innovation achievements gathers original results from universities and research institutes and serves as a resource pool for incubators. The list of industrial innovation achievements features post-incubation outputs; we then channel these to funds, investors or large enterprises for mergers, acquisitions or other routes to full commercialisation. The two lists will be updated annually and become a standing mechanism." explained by Tang Zhongwei, head of the preparatory Industry Innovation Division of the Chongqing Economic and Information Commission. Pilot-scale test serves as a critical step in transitioning scientific research achievements from fundamental research to product commercialization. For pilot-scale test platforms, it requires substantial effort to establish connections with universities and research institutions, engage with numerous projects, and build mutual trust. "These government-curated lists spare us substantial effort and communication costs and reduce risk," said Sun Yuhui, head of Pilot-scale Test Department at Chongqing Institute of High-Tech Industry. Before the event ended, his team had already reached preliminary cooperation agreements on at least 5 projects. Visitors tour the Innovation Achievements Exhibition Area at the 6th WCIFIT, Chongqing International Expo Center, May 23, 2024. (Photograph courtesy of reporter Cui Li / Visual Chongqing) On-site showcase and promotion of selected projects "This is our first appearance at WCIFIT. The fair has given our start-up a valuable platform to present its products," said Liu Hongyin, deputy general manager of Chongqing Fuel-Cell Technology Innovation & Industry Research Co., Ltd., after completing her roadshow. The company's core team originates from Singapore's Temasek Polytechnic. Having operated in Chongqing for more than 3 years, it brought an ultra-lightweight, air-cooled hydrogen fuel-cell system tailored for aircraft. "Both the national and Chongqing governments are vigorously promoting the low-altitude economy, so prospects are bright," Liu noted. The product has completed pilot-scale trials and is scheduled for mass production next year; on site, the company signed a letter of intent with a private-equity fund. Over three rounds of roadshows, 6 enterprises - including Shenzhen Zodxin Intelligent and Energy-saving Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Gaoye Energy, Shanghai Jiake Intelligent and Chongqing Fuel-Cell Technology Innovation & Industry Research Co. Ltd - unveiled their latest industrial innovations. Meanwhile, 6 universities - Harbin Engineering University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Chongqing University among them - showcased cutting-edge R&D projects. Three shared pilot platforms - Chongqing Institute of High-Tech Industry Pilot-Scale Test Base, Experimental Platform of International Academy of Optoelectronics at Zhaoqing, South China Normal University and Mingyue Lake Materials Testing Centre - demonstrated their capabilities in electronics R&D piloting, MEMS services and materials testing. "The event is highly significant," said Zhang Chunyang, senior investment manager at Shanghai Fosun Capital Management Co., Ltd. "Although most university spin-offs are still early-stage for us, we will maintain close contact. When the timing is right, we will participate." Fosun Capital has deep cooperation with Chongqing, having already implemented projects in Liangjiang New Area and Jiangbei District. "Chongqing's automotive, chip and advanced-material sectors are strategic focuses for us." 103 cooperation intentions reached on site SevnceRobotics' explosion-proof quadruped robot, Fengji Intelligent's intelligent electrical fire-prevention system, XIANGDIXIAN Computing Technology's "Tianjun-1" GPU, and Zisun Technology's aviation-grade sound/thermal insulation, vacuum-insulation panels and automotive air-conditioner filters… Throughout the event, Hall N2 thoughtfully designated dedicated zones to facilitate project matchmaking activities between enterprise representatives and investment institutions, as well as between research organizations and domestic/regional industrial incubators. A product showcase area was also set up, featuring 13 landmark industrial innovation achievements spanning sectors including electronic information, new energy vehicles, advanced materials, intelligent manufacturing, new energy, and biomedicine. Hosted by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology and the Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, and co-organised by Chongqing Institute of High-Tech Industry Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Small & Medium Enterprises Development Service Centre, the session enabled high-potential SMEs, equity investment firms, university R&D teams' cutting-edge innovation projects, and local incubators to establish close collaborations, resulting in 103 cooperation intentions signed on-site with a total intended investment value of RMB2.53 billion yuan. Next, Chongqing Economic and Information Commission will intensify matchmaking between scientific and industrial innovation outcomes. By refining the screening of scientific and technological achievements, systematically planning commercialisation pathways and continuously improving the full-stack industry-generation chain - from selection and piloting to product launch, enterprise formation and exit - the municipality aims to deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovation, accelerate the cultivation of new quality productive forces and build a modern industrial system anchored in advanced manufacturing. Source: Chongqing Daily

The 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) kicked off in Chongqing on May 23. On the same afternoon, the Special Investment Promotion Conference of Changdu City, Tibet was successfully held. At this event, Changdu signed 7 projects on-site, setting a new record in terms of quantity. It is understood that Chongqing Municipality has been providing paired assistance to Changdu City, Tibet since 1995. It has actively carried out assistance to Tibet in areas including talent, projects, funds, technology, and consumption, and has continuously supported the development of Changdu, Tibet. In recent years, Changdu, known as the "Pearl of Eastern Tibet", has witnessed rapid changes in its economic and social development, with a continuously optimized business environment. Many Chongqing enterprises have also achieved new development in Changdu, reaping both economic and social benefits. This special promotion conference is bound to build a new platform for cooperation between the two places, help entrepreneurs identify the right investment directions, and further understand Tibet, enter Changdu, and invest in business ventures. At the promotion conference, Nyi Ma Bkra Shis, Director of the First Division of Investment Promotion of the Tibet Autonomous Region Investment Promotion Bureau, provided participating merchants with an overall interpretation of Tibet Autonomous Region's investment promotion policies. He presented Tibet's prominent advantages in clean energy, mineral resources, plateau-specific agriculture and animal husbandry, and cultural tourism resources, demonstrated the overall layout of Tibet Autonomous Region's eight key industries and the operation of industrial parks, and focused on interpreting Tibet's current tax, finance, industry, and land policies that entrepreneurs care about. When introducing Changdu's industrial development and preferential investment promotion policies, Ren Yuan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Changdu Municipal Bureau of Commerce of Tibet Autonomous Region, stated that Changdu offers preferential investment policies and boundless investment opportunities. It is continuously increasing policy support for enterprises in various aspects, including investment assistance, tax support, inclusive finance, and industrial backing. He expressed the hope that both new and existing business partners will gain a deeper understanding of Changdu, this magical and beautiful place, participate in its economic and social development, and bring more opportunities and vitality to Changdu's investment and development. Subsequently, representatives from more than ten counties and districts in Changdu, Tibet, including Changdu New Area, Karuo District, Basu County, and Bianba County, took the stage in turn to demonstrate the high-quality business environment for joint development to the audience. At the promotion conference, Changdu City, Tibet signed 7 projects, with the number reaching a new all-time high in previous years. The total contracted amount of the projects is RMB391 million, covering fields such as clean energy equipment manufacturing, mineral water resource development, cultural and tourism industry, commercial and logistics industry, green industry, and food processing industry. The signing and subsequent implementation of these projects will strongly promote the development of Changdu, Tibet, strengthen the exchange, communication, and integration between Chongqing and Tibet, and achieve mutually beneficial development through cooperation. Source: Upstream News (www.cqcb.com)

A special signing event for the third batch of major projects under the "Starry Sky" Action Plan for Chongqing's Software and Information Service Industry took place in Chongqing Yuelai International Convention Center in the afternoon of May 23. The signing focuses on key software fields such as industrial software, automotive software, and artificial intelligence, and cooperation agreements are being signed with software enterprises including Continental AG Elektrobit Automotive Software and Qingdao Foodnet. At the event site, representatives from 6 software enterprises including Elektrobit Automotive Software (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., ZTRS Technology Co., Ltd, CT Fintech Co., Ltd., and Qingdao Foodnet Technology Co., Ltd. delivered speeches one after another. They introduced their development plans in Chongqing and expressed gratitude to Chongqing for its strong support for the enterprises' projects. Chongqing is fully committed to building the "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system, further implementing the "Starry Sky" Action Plan for the software and information service industry, and actively advancing the construction of Digital Chongqing. With a solid industrial foundation, all parties are full of confidence in future development. In the follow-up, Chongqing will leverage its industrial advantages to promote the implementation and solid progress of projects, and help build a new highland for the development of the software industry. It is understood that this signing involves a total of 16 software enterprises, including Elektrobit Automotive Software (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., ZTRS Technology Co., Ltd, DBAPPSecurity Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Yuanwang Information Co., Ltd., and TenFong Technology Co., Ltd. The signed projects focus on new quality productive forces such as industrial software, automotive software, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and intelligent manufacturing, with a total contracted investment exceeding RMB1.5 billion. After the projects are put into place, they will provide more than 4,000 jobs in the software industry for Chongqing Municipality. Wu Tao, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of Chongqing Economic and Information Commission, introduced that since 2022, Chongqing has focused on "strengthening venues, scenarios, enterprises, talents, and mechanisms", vigorously implemented the "Starry Sky" Action Plan for Chongqing's Software and Information Service Industry, and accelerated efforts to "gather popularity, put buildings into use, and boost industrial development". Positive results have been achieved so far. In 2023, the software business revenue of the city reached RMB315.21 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 12.8%. The scale of the municipality's software industry stood at RMB361.07 billion, ranking 8th in China. This signing event will further expand the influence of the "Starry Sky" Action Plan, consolidate the foundation for the development of the municipality's software industry, and help build the "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system and advance the construction of Digital Chongqing. Zhang Yu, CEO of Qingdao Foodnet Technology Co., Ltd., stated that Chongqing is a national hub for advanced manufacturing with a superior business environment and broad development prospects. This signing will further deepen the cooperation between Qingdao Foodnet and Chongqing in digital and intelligent food based on software and information services. Through information technology innovation and food ecosystem integration, it will promote the digital upgrading of the group meal and food industries, create a "Chongqing Model" for replication across the country, support the implementation of the "Healthy China" strategy, and accelerate the pace of standardizing Chinese cuisine for overseas expansion by leveraging the opportunities of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Source: Upstream News (www.cqcb.com)

From May 23 to 26, the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) is being held at the Chongqing International Expo Center, focusing on modern producer services under the theme of "New Western China, New Manufacturing, New Services". The event features four major thematic exhibition areas - Comprehensive Showcase, Modern Services, Modern Manufacturing, and International and Regional Cooperation spanning 11 exhibition halls. Products "Made in Yongchuan" such as the GWM H9, ZELOS driverless logistics vehicles, high-end 3D-printed engines, butterfly paintings, Machilus incense, tissue paper, aluminum ingots, and aluminum die-cast parts are all on display. On May 23, a reporter from Upstream News (www.cqcb.com) saw at exhibition halls the scene that the Yongchuan was set up at Booth N7-A02 in the Modern Manufacturing Zone, covering an area of 506 square meters with many highlights. These cutting-edge products promote Yongchuan's development advantages, investment environment, pillar industries, key enterprises, and specialty products, showcasing the district's industrial clusters and growth potential. According to officials from Yongchuan District, the district mobilized 21 government departments, 52 exhibiting enterprises, and 4 key contracting enterprises to participate in the exhibition, collecting exhibition materials and displaying 73 exhibits. The exhibition hall adopts interactive and visually engaging presentation methods including images, text, and physical exhibits, complemented by sound, lighting, and electronic displays, to highlight Yongchuan's open platforms, international open hub development, the "2515" advanced manufacturing cluster system, and the "1437" digital economy development framework. The Inland Comprehensive Open Hub Pilot Zone section details Yongchuan's regional profile, strategic positioning, development objectives, and transportation hub infrastructure covering highways, railways, waterways, aviation, and rail transit. The Open Platforms section showcases the development progress of Yongchuan High-Tech Zone, Yongchuan Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Yongchuan Cloud Valley Big Data Industrial Park, and the Pioneer Low-Altitude Economy Test Zone. The Modern Manufacturing Base section emphasizes the development of the "2515" advanced manufacturing cluster system, while the Western Vocational Education Base focuses on vocational education advancements. The Yongchuan Premium Products zone features local intangible cultural heritage items, time-honored brands, and agricultural and specialty products, and the Business Negotiation Area facilitates on-site business discussions. Yongchuan District adheres to targeted investment attraction and precise industrial chain extension and supplementation, concentrating on key sectors such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, advanced materials, and consumer goods. During this WCIFIT, the district signed four key projects in a single ceremony with a total investment of RMB18.52 billion. Source: Upstream News (www.cqcb.com)

Chengkou Pavilion. Photo by Jiang Haitao On May 23, the opening ceremony of the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) kicked off at the Chongqing International Expo Center. At this year's WCIFIT, Chengkou Pavilion showes the industrial layout of 'Daba Mountain Medicine Valley', 'Daba Mountain Selenium Valley', and 'Daba Mountain Carbon Valley', presenting the new look of Chengkou's modern manufacturing sector and industrial park development. The Chengkou Pavilion displays Chinese medicinal material products. Photo by Jiang Haitao According to reports, the Chengkou Pavilion is located in Hall N5-B01 of Chongqing International Expo Center. Differing from previous editions, this year's WCIFIT saw Chengkou County organize enterprise participation through specialized task forces including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Team, Preserved Meat Industry Team, Cultural Tourism & Wellness Team, and Lacquerware Industry Team. Participating enterprises include the "Wangwo" Lacquer Art Space, Zhao Xiaochun Preserved Meat, Jiming Tea, Anling Agriculture, and Luyu Mining, among others. Exhibits featured dozens of products ranging from lacquerware and Chengkou preserved meat to Jiming tribute tea, honey, wild walnut oil, prepared Chinese herbal slices, shale ceramsite series products, and barium chloride series products. During the signing ceremony, Chengkou County inked a RMB2.5-billion functional food industrial chain and international eco-wellness town construction project with repeat partner Chongqing Huida Lemon Technology Group Co., Ltd. Titled the "Chengkou County Wild Walnut Functional Food Industrial Chain and International Eco-Wellness Town Construction Project," this initiative combines food/agricultural processing with cultural tourism and wellness industries. The plan involves selecting 5,000-10,000 mu (approximately 333-667 hectares) of suitable land for planting Acer truncatum trees while leveraging existing processing and R&D capabilities to develop production lines for functional and health foods including wild walnut oil, Acer truncatum seed oil, and wild jujube oil, along with market expansion. Concurrently, 300-500 mu (20-33 hectares) of construction land and 3-5 square kilometers of forest therapy land will be developed to create an integrated multi-format wellness industry combining ecological experiences, hydrotherapy, nutritional therapy, herbal therapy, medical care, oxygen therapy, and commercial residences, ultimately forming the distinctive Chongqing Daba Mountain International Wellness Industry System. "The WCIFIT serves as an excellent platform. Throughout the exhibition, we will consistently showcase Chengkou's ecological specialty products and unique cultural tourism/wellness resources to seek more investment opportunities, attracting market entities and investors to understand Chengkou, visit Chengkou, and ultimately establish businesses here," said a relevant official from the Chengkou Country Commission of Commerce. Source: PEOPLE'S DAILY ONLINE (people.cn)