Briefing | Rooted in the West, Facing the World! WCIFIT Secures 196 Major Investment Projects!

After four days of dynamic exhibitions, the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) successfully concluded today.

Hosted by the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, this year's WCIFIT featured Belarus as the guest country of honor and Sichuan Province as the guest province of honor. The fair was grand yet pragmatic, fully demonstrating the firm confidence of Western China in further opening-up and showcasing the region's vast potential for investment and trade. It serves as a vivid reflection of the region's vigorous development.

As the first international exhibition themed around Western China since the Symposium on Boosting Development of China's Western Region in New Era, this year's WCIFIT attracted widespread attention from across society. On May 26, the Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government held a results briefing conference of the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) to report on the key outcomes of the fair.

Released by:

Zhang Yongwu     Director of the WCIFIT Organizing Committee Office, Secretary of Party Leadership Group and Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce

Hosted by:

Zhang Qiong       Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, Director of the Information Office of Chongqing Municipal Government

Grounded in western China, oriented toward the globe

Sharing the historic opportunities of the western development in the new era with global businesses

Zhang Yongwu introduced the fair, which featured 4 major themed exhibition areas - Comprehensive Showcase, Modern Services, Modern Manufacturing, and International and Regional Cooperation - spread across 11 exhibition halls with a total exhibition area of 130,000 square meters. Compared to the previous session, the number of participants increased by 16.1%, with exhibitors from outside Chongqing accounting for over 50%.

① Strong international presence. Exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, including Poland, Russia, South Korea, Uruguay, Italy, and Israel, showcased their projects and achievements in the International & Regional Cooperation Exhibition Zone, fully demonstrating the outcomes of Belt and Road Initiative collaborations; The China (Chongqing) Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair brought together nearly 30 renowned domestic and international cross-border e-commerce platforms and service providers, displaying over 10,000 "cross-border quality products."

② High industrial clustering. The Modern Service Industry Zone featured 198 enterprises presenting new achievements, business models, scenarios, and trends in domestic and international producer services, focusing on accelerating development in specialized segments. The Modern Manufacturing Zone highlighted 347 enterprises showcasing cutting-edge technologies, products, and accomplishments in next-generation electronic information manufacturing, advanced materials, and other industries, supporting the development of modern manufacturing cluster systems.

③Cutting-edge technological exhibits. This year's WCIFIT debuted 129 high-quality new products, including zero-carbon future energy storage materials. Breakthroughs in China's aerospace sector, such as space stations, satellites, and launch vehicles, were displayed. Over 20 prestigious universities, 30 R&D institutions, and 50 scientific enterprises from Sichuan, Shaanxi, and other regions collectively released a series of technological and industrial innovations, offering attendees a feast of new products and technologies.

④ Vibrant on-site atmosphere. Specialty foods like Belarusian beef, chocolate, and vodka were highly popular among visitors, with brisk sales. Qinghai Pavilion emphasized "ecological beauty," captivating audiences with its "Qinghai-brand" eco-friendly products. Bishan District creatively integrated local culture with Singaporean elements, while Pengshui County vividly presented Miao ethnic customs. Meanwhile, Dadukou and Hechuan Districts exhibited over 270 varieties of Chongqing-style noodles and hot pot products, spicing up the venue with signature regional flavor.

Mutual commitment, shared future

196 major investment projects signed at WCIFIT

Zhang Yongwu reported that this year's WCIFIT successfully secured 196 major investment projects, demonstrating more focused investment sectors with more substantive and mature project offerings.

① Distinctive industrial investment features. By sector, 124 manufacturing projects with formal contracts worth RMB198.85 billion, and 58 modern service projects totaling RMB88.42 billion. By scale, 105 projects exceeding RMB1 billion, marking 46.7% year-on-year growth, including 4 mega-projects valued over RMB10 billion each. By quality, 4 Fortune Global 500 enterprises and 25 industry-leading companies signed agreements.

② Manufacturing emerges as investment magnet. In this year's WCIFIT, the "New Manufacturing" focus and "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system dominated investment, accounting for 63% of total contracted value. Key sectors included intelligent connected new energy vehicles, next-generation electronic information manufacturing and advanced materials. These three trillion-yuan industries secured 62 projects worth RMB110.6 billion, representing half of both project count and total value.

③ Digital Chongqing in high demand. With continuous upgrades to the "1361" digital architecture, the construction of Digital Chongqing has become a new favorite among investors. This year's WCIFIT saw five software and information service projects signed, with a total value of RMB12.3 billion. For example, Bornsales Chongqing New-type Computing Power Center plans to build a next-generation computing power and data operation hub centered in Chongqing; HeyGears intends to establish the first smart "dark factory" in Southwest China; and PTAC will set up a national clearing center in Chongqing for Huawei HarmonyOS smart terminals.

④ Growing foreign investment momentum. Thanks to a more market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment, Western China has become a hotspot for foreign investment. A total of 12 foreign-invested projects were signed at this WCIFIT, with a combined value of RMB 26.7 billion, involving 12 countries and regions including Singapore, Germany, and Hong Kong (China). Notable projects included the Huate Power methanol-reformed hydrogen fuel cell stack project and Yunji Capital's distributed new energy power station investment headquarters.

⑤ Central SOEs accelerate deployment. Central-local cooperation was a highlight of this year's WCIFIT, with 15 projects signed totaling RMB 34.9 billion. 13 of these were valued above RMB 1 billion and spanned sectors such as finance, advanced materials, and new energy. Notable examples include China South Industries Group establishing its national leasing headquarters in Chongqing and Sinopec expanding its special polyolefin project in Changshou District.

Focusing on services, advancing with innovation

The 7th WCIFIT is scheduled for May 22 - 25 next year.

Zhang Yongwu also stated that this year's WCIFIT centered around five major themes: Logistics Services, Innovation Services, Professional Services, Investing in Western China, and Global Sourcing. A total of 12 specialized events were held, alongside the "WCIFIT Benefits the Entire City" consumer promotion campaign.

① Driving industrial development, cultivating new momentum. To foster new quality productive forces in western China, eight specialized events will be held, with the "Starry Sky" facilitating the launch of key projects in Chongqing. The China Chongqing Investment Promotion Conference of Biopharmaceutical Industry established a RMB 2 billion biopharmaceutical sub-fund. Eight cooperation agreements were signed in testing and inspection, while the New Era Western Development Design Empowerment Action Initiative was unveiled, alongside six international collaborative design projects.

②Enhancing trade cooperation efficiency. The "Invest in Western China" key project roadshow yielded 26 cooperation agreements. The 2nd Global Purchasing Matchmaking Conference secured nearly RMB50 million in intended contracts. The Chongqing-Hong Kong Innovation Cooperation attracted over 10,000 professional visitors. The release of the China-ASEAN Investment and Trade Legal Policy Guidelines will help businesses seize opportunities under China-Singapore cooperation to expand into ASEAN markets.

③ Boosting consumer market vitality. The "WCIFIT Benefits the Entire City" campaign launched pre-event activities at Jiefangbei (Yuzhong) and Guanyinqiao (Jiangbei), releasing consumption benefits early. During the fair, the "WCIFIT Premium Selection" and "WCIFIT New Products" sub-events allowed citizens to experience global premium goods and sample Chongqing specialties like Jiangjin Meijian plum wine, Wuxi Eagle Tea, and Yongchuan Xiuya tea, with over 50,000 participants.

The 7th WCIFIT is scheduled for May 22 - 25 next year. Organizers will uphold innovative, smart, green, and open exhibition principles, integrating exhibitions with releases, online with offline platforms, and showcasing western China's debut products to strengthen WCIFIT's industrial clustering, economic cooperation, and leadership effects.

Source: Chongqing Release