Mutual Commitment, Fruitful Results! See You Next Year!

Released by

Host

On May 26, the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) officially concluded. On the same day, the Information Office of Chongqing Municipal Government held a press conference to report on the achievements of this year's WCIFIT.

According to Zhang Yongwu, Director of the WCIFIT Organizing Committee Office, Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, this year's WCIFIT was both grand and pragmatic, fully demonstrating the western region's firm confidence in further opening up and highlighting the immense potential for investment and trade. The event has become a vivid representation of the thriving development of Western China.

Grounded in western China, oriented toward the globe

This year's WCIFIT highlights the context of the new era and the new western region, focusing on promoting the development of modern producer services. A large number of government officials, business representatives and enterprises gathered in Chongqing to carry out activities such as business negotiations, exhibitions, economic and trade matchmaking, and investment promotion, achieving a complete success.

First, pragmatic and focused theme. This year's WCIFIT, with the theme of "New Western China, New Manufacturing, New Services", centered on integrating advanced manufacturing with modern service industries, hosting five key themed activities: Logistics Services, Innovation Services, Professional Services, Investing in Western China, and Global Sourcing. It provided global businesses a shared opportunity to seize the historic chance of the Western Development.

Second, evolving concept of openness. Yuan Jiajun, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, received attendees, delivered a keynote speech, and announced the event's opening. Mayor Hu Henghua presided over the opening ceremony. In his speech, Yuan Jiajun elaborated on the profound meaning and primary tasks of establishing a comprehensive hub for inland opening-up, proposing "nine critical hubs" that offer new perspectives and paths for regional openness.

Third, high-profile attendees. Mr. Aleksandr Turchin, chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, Belarus, along with other 38 mayors and governors from 25 countries, as well as 23 diplomatic officials including the Belarusian Ambassador to China and representatives from foreign business associations and institutions attended the fair. Over ten ministerial and provincial-level officials from organizations such as the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and provinces including Sichuan, Guizhou, Tibet Autonomous Region, Gansu, and Qinghai participated in related activities.

Fourth, gathering of renowned enterprises. Nearly 1,800 enterprises and organizations from 40 countries and regions, 27 domestic provinces (regions and municipalities), and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region took part in the fair. Notably, 66 central SOEs, 67 Fortune Global 500 companies and multinationals attended. Well-known companies such as China Logistics Group, China Testing & Certification International Group, and NACHI-FUJIKOSHI (CHINA) CO., LTD participated for the first time.

Distinctive features and rich content

This year's WCIFIT included 11 exhibition halls across four major thematic zones: Comprehensive Showcase, Modern Services, Modern Manufacturing, and International and Regional Cooperation, covering a total exhibition area of 130,000 square meters. Exhibitors from outside Chongqing accounted for over 50%.

Frist, 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."

Second, 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.

Third, cutting-edge technological exhibits. This year's WCIFIT debuted 129 high-quality new products, including Changan Deepal's latest intelligent connected vehicle"G318", 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.

Fourth, 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 blended local culture with Singaporean landmarks, while Pengshui County vividly displayed Miao ethnic traditions. Dadukou and Hechuan Districts spiced up the event with over 270 varieties of noodles and hotpot products, adding a "mala" flair to the exhibition.

Widespread impact, fruitful results

This year's WCIFIT successfully secured 196 major investment projects, demonstrating more focused investment sectors with more substantive and mature project offerings.

First, distinctive industrial investment features. By sector, 124 manufacturing projects with formal contracts worth RMB198.85 billion, and 58 modern service projects totaling RMB88.423 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.

Second, 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.

Third, 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.

Fourth, bright spots in foreign investment. 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.

Fifth, 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

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.

First, driving industrial development, cultivating new momentum. To foster new quality productive forces in western China, eight specialized events will be held. 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.

Second, enhancing 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.

Third, boosting consumer market vitality. The "WCIFIT Benefits the Entire City" promotion campaign was held in this year's WCIFIT, featured two sub-events: "WCIFIT Premium Selection" and "WCIFIT New Products", allowing 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 and consumption of nearly RMB10 million.

The 7th WCIFIT is scheduled for May 22 - 25 next year. Chongqing 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, striving to build a perpetual flagship event in Western China.

Source: Chongqing Daily