"Western China" Welcomes the World to Chongqing, Joining Hands for a Shared Future - On the Occasion of the Closing of the 7th WCIFIT

The mountain city came alive in May, stirred by a grand event.

On May 25, the 7th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) was officially concluded. Over four days, the event delivered an impressive report card: more than 247 major projects signed, over 1,300 enterprises exhibited, and eight foreign ministers and high-level officials attended...

This grand gathering, themed "New Western China, New Manufacturing, New Services", was not only a feast of economic and trade cooperation but also a vital window through which Chongqing embraces the world. The region is accelerating its "connection" to the world, enterprises are rapidly "forging" partnerships, and industries are "gaining" deeper insights into emerging trends - all collaborating to explore opportunities and jointly shape the future.

▲ On May 21, the Chongqing Exhibition Hall at the 7th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade. Photo by Reporter Cui Li, Xie Zhiqiang/Visual Chongqing

Rooted in the West China, Embracing the World

The international nature of the Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) is evident from the very setup of this year's event, especially in its choice of "guests of honor".

Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, Chongqing invited Thailand as the guest country of honor. Within the Thailand-themed pavilion in the central exhibition hall, more than 40 enterprises spanning sectors such as catering, healthcare, tourism, industry, and finance showcased over a hundred products, including herbal balms, latex goods, fruits, and coconut juice, allowing visitors in Chongqing to immerse themselves in authentic Thai culture.

Hong Kong, as the first-ever guest city of honor in WCIFIT's history, brought dozens of enterprises to Chongqing and hosted seven thematic sharing sessions focused on finance, massive health, and technological innovation. Hong Kong also introduced seven cooperation projects, exemplifying the deep "mountain-and-sea" ties between Chongqing and Hong Kong to the world.

The international scope extended far beyond the guests of honor. This edition of the WCIFIT attracted over 1,300 enterprises and organizations from 39 countries (regions), including 140 Fortune Global 500 companies and multinational corporations, doubling participation compared to previous years. This growth expanded WCIFIT's international "circle of friends", welcoming first-time participants such as the U.S.-based Adient plc, Italy's ATS, and the Netherlands’ Fien and Teun.

Beyond the corporate presence, this year's WCIFIT featured a strong international guest list, including over 200 prominent figures at home and abroad, such as seven ministerial-level foreign officials and representatives from 19 diplomatic missions in China, many signaling intentions for closer collaboration.

"Thailand’s participation as the guest country of honor at WCIFIT is a testament to the deepening comprehensive strategic partnership between Thailand and China," said Dr. Lalivan Karnchanachari, Vice Minister to Foreign Affairs of Thailand, during the opening ceremony of the WCIFIT. She expressed Thailand's intention to use the event as an opportunity to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Western China in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, logistics, and humanistic exchanges, contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Algernon Yau Ying-wah, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in Hong Kong, said that Chongqing is a key inland hub for China's opening-up, strategically located at the intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Hong Kong would fully leverage the WCIFIT platform to work alongside Chongqing and elevate the cooperation between the two regions to a new level.

"The Netherlands hopes to deepen dialogue and cooperation with Chongqing in fields such as the circular economy, green architecture, and carbon trading, expanding bilateral collaboration into broader domains," said Mr. Huub Buise, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to China. "Chongqing is a dynamic and forward-moving city, and the Netherlands looks forward to deepening its partnership with it."

Mr. Zheng Fu, Senior Vice President of GLP, noted that Chongqing serves as a hub and central city in western China. The company has already invested nearly RMB20 billion in projects in the city. Looking ahead, GLP hopes to attract more enterprises to Chongqing and help it become a pivotal hub connecting Southeast Asia and Europe.

The strong endorsement from guests added shine to the WCIFIT and bolstered confidence in Chongqing's global ambitions and Western China's deeper integration with the world.

Opportunities Abound, Cooperation for Mutual Benefit

As guests from around the world praised Chongqing and global resources converged on the mountain city through the WCIFIT, the "chemical reaction" of regional cooperation quietly began to take shape.

At this year's WCIFIT, a series of key activities were successfully held, including the "MNCs Tour in Chongqing" and the "Invest in Western China" industry roadshows. A total of 247 major projects were signed, among which 124 were part of centralized signed projects, with a total contract value exceeding RMB200 billion. Additionally, projects signed independently by various districts and counties surpassed RMB100 billion in value. These influential and catalytic projects will inject powerful momentum into shaping a new pattern for the Western Development in the new era.

From a scale perspective, nearly 100 projects exceed RMB1 billion in investment, totaling around RMB260 billion, including 17 projects each worth over RMB5 billion. From a quality perspective, 62 projects involve "Fortune Global 500" enterprises, "Specialized, Refined, Distinctive and Innovative" enterprises, industry leaders, or publicly listed companies, with a combined investment of nearly RMB100 billion, accounting for almost 30% of the total signed projects value. From an industry perspective, 167 projects are in the manufacturing sector, with an investment of RMB157.28 billion, while 57 projects are in modern services, totaling RMB75.28 billion.

In recent years, Chongqing has seen increasingly close cooperation with central state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a trend that was fully evident at this year's WCIFIT. During the event, Chongqing signed 16 major cooperation agreements with central SOEs, totaling over RMB70 billion and covering a wide range of fields, including advanced manufacturing and energy. For example, China Energy Engineering Gezhouba Group Clean Energy Company will establish a "Central SOE Clean Energy Headquarters" project in Chongqing, and China National Coal Group Corporation will launch a clean coal power project in Fuling District.

These projects carry clear significance for strengthening and complementing Chongqing's industrial chains.

Zhang Yongwu, Director of the Executive Committee Office of WCIFIT, explained that among the agreements signed at this year's WCIFIT, nearly 170 key industrial projects, including those in intelligent connected new energy vehicles, next-generation electronic information manufacturing, and advanced materials, with a total value of approximately RMB160 billion, exceeding half of the total signed projects. These projects will significantly enhance Chongqing's "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system.

For example, the Electronic Technology Chip Integrated Circuit R&D and Testing Base project, signed at the Xiyong Micro-electronics Industrial Park in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, will focus on sectors such as consumer electronics, smart home, intelligent manufacturing, robotics, and new energy vehicles, aiming to iteratively upgrade existing power driver integrated circuit products and expand the product line.

Other provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities have also found opportunities at this year's WCIFIT.

Data shows among the signed projects, 122 industrial projects originated from Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and other provinces and cities, with a total investment of RMB170 billion, accounting for over half of the total value of signed projects. Of these, 110 projects came specifically from eastern provinces and cities.

A key theme of WCIFIT is supporting the western region, and this year's event has fully showcased this focus.

The Alliance of Western China Associations of Enterprises with Foreign Investment was established in Chongqing, and the "Western China Foreign Investment Confidence Index" was released for the first time. Provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, such as Sichuan, Shaanxi, Guizhou, and Guangxi, collaborated on co-building and sharing industrial chains, signing 46 industrial cooperation projects totaling nearly RMB40 billion.

Exhibitions in Full Swing

As cooperation deepens, the products and technologies showcased in the exhibition halls not only serve as tangible expressions of shared commitment but also act as multidimensional carriers of openness and innovation.

The 110,000 square meters exhibition zone was packed with cutting-edge "black technologies".

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation showcased the largest exhibit at this year’s WCIFIT: Caihong-YH1000 Cargo Drone. This model has a maximum payload exceeding 1t, a service ceiling of 8,000m, and can take off without a runway, making it especially suited for Chongqing’s complex terrain surrounded by mountains and rivers.

At the Liangjiang New Area booth, a Chihuahua-sized "Xiaotian Sirius Intelligent Robot Dog" caught everyone's attention. It is China's first highly integrated small intelligent quadruped robot, equipped with a self-developed core control module that significantly enhances its agility and expands its operational range, exhibiting behaviors increasingly similar to a real dog.

Qingling Motors, in partnership with German Bosch, developed a 49T hydrogen fuel cell tractor. Despite its large size, it charges quickly: equipped with a rated 190kW hydrogen fuel cell system combined with a 35 MPa ultra-high-pressure hydrogen supply system and intelligent temperature control technology, it can be refueled in 5min and achieve a range of 400km.

A variety of cultural IPs also emerged continuously.

Each district and county exhibition hall showcased a diverse array of local culinary specialties. Specialties like Chengkou Gastrodia and Native Chicken Soup, Qianjiang Chicken Offal, Wuxi Grilled Fish, Fengdu Spicy Chicken, and Rongchang Braised Goose offered a flavorful "taste" of Chongqing’s renowned culinary heritage to the world.

Sichuan Fine Arts Institute designed a spacesuit that combines Chongqing embroidery with aerospace technology; Dazu carved cultural and creative products integrate stone carving techniques; Youyang traditional "cloth tiger" reflects the intricate needlework of Hmong Embroidery, allowing visitors to experience a fusion of tradition and modernity.

Jiangbei District showcased a series of "Demon Child" Nezha garage kits, Bishan District brought players from the Chongqing Wolves, a professional league team in the Honor of Kings, and Pengshui presented the "Chiyou Penguin" doll developed in collaboration with Tencent QQ, making the WCIFIT feel more relatable and appealing to young people.

Global purchasing and selling took place side by side.

The cross-border e-commerce platform and the "Chongqing Products Gather Online" e-commerce matchmaking event have accelerated the global reach of Chongqing products such as Rongchang grass cloth. During the expo, the total online and offline transaction volume exceeded RMB8.5 billion, with international goods accounting for over 40%.

In the International Cooperation Zone, a dazzling array of global products captivated visitors, from mineral water and beer from the Czech Republic, Ethiopian coffee, Afghan carpets, Australian honey, Nigerian woodcrafts, to jade artifacts from Myanmar.

Handcrafted alpaca dolls from Peru and shea butter from Senegal, renowned global treasures, stood side by side with local specialties such as lemons from Tongnan and processed water shield vegetables from Shizhu, Chongqing, illustrating this year's WCIFIT as a perfect blend of "International Flair" and "local" charm.

Work Together to Create a Better Future

Exhibitions and trade shows showcase enterprises' existing achievements, while various events serve as a "weather vane" for industry trends, guiding companies in planning for the future.

At the Supply and Purchase Matchmaking Event of Chinese Automotive and Motorcycle Brands into the African Market, guests engaged in in-depth discussions on the theme "New Era for Automotive and Motorcycle Brands 'Leaping into Africa'", outlining a new blueprint for China-Africa automotive and motorcycle industry cooperation and signaling great potential for Chinese automotive and motorcycle brands to thrive in the African market.

At the Financial Empowerment & Channel Linkage - Financial Cooperation & Matchmaking Event for the New Western Land-sea Corridor, representatives from Chinese and foreign government departments, financial institutions, enterprises and well-known industry experts discussed the construction path of the New Land-Sea Corridor for financial services, helping Chongqing build an inland open comprehensive hub.

At the Promotion Conference on the High-Quality Development of Modern Logistics and Modern Industries, guests emphasized the vital role of logistics as a key "link" in the industrial and supply chains. They suggested that Chongqing should accelerate the high-quality development of its logistics sector to enhance the resilience of its industrial and supply chains, thereby further advancing its competitive industries.

At the Invest in China Promotion Event on Greater Openness-Up In the Service Sector of Chongqing, the Chongqing Service Industry Opening-Up Index was unveiled. The Department of Foreign Investment Administration under the Ministry of Commerce offered on-site interpretations of national pilot policies to accelerate service sector opening-up, thereby further clarifying the roadmap for expanding openness in China's service industry.

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Over the course of four days, WCIFIT showcased not only a wealth of established achievements, but also sent a clear and compelling message to the world: Chongqing is embracing openness, delivering professional services, and driving innovation as it forges its own "global chapter" in the grand journey of the Western Development. In this chapter, WCIFIT serves as a window, one through which the world sees Chongqing, and Chongqing envisions its future.

The 8th WCIFIT is slated for May next year. With a clear focus on national priorities, the strategic needs of Western China, Chongqing's own strengths, public aspirations, and future directions, the city will uphold the values of innovation, intelligence, green, and openness. It aims to build a dynamic platform for industrial cooperation, driven by "precision matchmaking, global synergy, and empowered industries".

Chongqing will once again host WCIFIT to welcome global guests, embarking together on a "promising journey of opportunity" in Western China.

Source: New Chongqing - Chongqing Daily