Chongqing's 2022 Municipal-Level Major Projects Achieve RMB371.1 Billion in Investment, Completing Annual Target One Month Ahead of Schedule

On December 12, the 38th Session of the Standing Committee of the Fifth Chongqing Municipal People's Congress received a report from the Chongqing Municipal Government regarding the progress of major projects under the municipality's 14th Five-Year Plan. According to the report, Chongqing has made dedicated efforts throughout the year to achieve tangible results in advancing major projects. From January to November 2022, municipal-level major projects completed investment totaling RMB371.1 billion, fulfilling 99.6% of the annual target and surpassing the full-year goal of RMB360 billion one month ahead of schedule.

An official from the Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission outlined that the city's 14th Five-Year Plan outlines 532 major projects. These span eight key areas including scientific and technological innovation, infrastructure development, modern industrial systems, and urban enhancement. Among them, 411 are major construction projects, while 121 are projects in the preliminary feasibility study phase. To date, construction has commenced on 272 major projects, such as the Chongqing to Qianjiang section of Chongqing-Changsha High-speed Railway, Chongqing-Wanzhou High-speed Railway, and Chengdu-Dazhou-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway, with cumulative investment exceeding RMB580 billion. Furthermore, 31 major construction projects, including the Chongqing section of the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway, Phase 1 of Metro Line 9, the Hechuan-Changshou High-speed Railway, Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge, Shapingba Railway Station Transport Hub, and the Three Gorges Public Health Emergency Hospital, have been completed and are now operational.

Among the eight major projects from Chongqing incorporated into the national 14th Five-Year Plan, four are progressing smoothly: the Chengdu-Chongqing-Shanghai Yangtze River Corridor High-speed Railway, the T3B Terminal and Fourth Runway project at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, the Water Resources Allocation Project for Western Chongqing, and the Sichuan-Chongqing Natural Gas Production Base with a Production Capacity of 100 Billion Cubic Meters. Additionally, the Sichuan-Chongqing UHV AC Project and the Hami-Chongqing UHV Transmission Corridor Supporting Coal Power Project commenced construction in September this year. Xi'an-Chongqing High-Speed Railway project began construction in November this year. Preparations are also underway to initiate the feasibility study for the Three Gorges New Waterway Project.

Throughout the year, Chongqing has persistently implemented its "Action Plan for Boosting Investment Through Project Development." The city has focused on refining mechanisms for major project management, ensuring resource availability, improving services, and enhancing digitalization, all to facilitate the safe and efficient advancement of major projects. Currently, the first batch of preliminary work plans for projects reserved under both the national and municipal 14th Five-Year Plans has been finalized, encompassing 208 projects. Key initiatives among these, aligned with implementing major national strategic decisions and addressing Chongqing's socio-economic development gaps, include planning for projects like Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway Connecting Line (Jiulongpo to Chongqing East Station), the Ankang-Zhangjiajie-Changde Railway (Ankang to Fengjie section), the Chongqing Canal System, the Xiaonanhai Hydropower Station, the Phase III Expansion of Hechuan Shuanghuai Power Plant, and the "Tibetan Electricity into Chongqing" transmission project. These are slated for early initiation of studies within the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

From January to November this year, newly launched projects completed investment of RMB111.3 billion, with 259 projects breaking ground, including the Xiamen Haichen Southwest Intelligent Manufacturing Center and R&D Center. Ongoing construction projects saw investment of RMB259.8 billion, with 126 projects, such as the Chongqing section of Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway, Phase II of Metro Line 4, the Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge, the Hongyancun Jialing River Bridge, and the Jiangjin-Tiaodeng Suburban Railway Line, reaching completion and commencing operation. Notably, six projects originally slated for commencement in 2023, including the Baoding Mountain to Beishan Expressway in Dazu District, were started ahead of schedule this year. Efforts to accelerate the full resumption of work on municipal-level major projects have been successful, achieving a cumulative work resumption rate of 99.5% by December 8.

Moving forward, Chongqing will be guided by major national strategies such as the development of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. The city aims to expedite the implementation of reserved projects outlined in its 14th Five-Year Plan, diligently advance municipal-level major projects, and leverage investment's crucial role in optimizing the supply structure. The goal is to make every effort to achieve new progress and breakthroughs in major project construction.

The city will intensify efforts in planning and reserving major projects, focusing on modern industrial systems, infrastructure, technological innovation, and social development. Efforts will also be made to strengthen coordination with higher-level authorities to secure national support. Deepening preliminary work for major projects remains a priority, involving the continuous formulation of preliminary work plans for reserved projects based on municipal special plans and industry development directions under the 14th Five-Year Plan. This will ensure orderly progression in securing essential resources and guarantees, maintaining a robust pipeline of major projects. Chongqing will accelerate the implementation of projects such as Chengdu-Chongqing Middle Line High-Speed Railway, Xi'an-Chongqing High-Speed Railway, the Baishiyi Tunnel, the Science City Tunnel, and various urban rail transit lines. The target is for municipal-level major projects to achieve total investment exceeding RMB390 billion for the entire year.

Source: Chongqing Daily