CCI Bears Fruitful Cooperation Outcomes Over Decade Project Establishes New Framework for Chongqing-Singapore Point-to-Point Collaboration, Driving Face-to-Face Cooperation Between Western China and ASEAN

November 10 - As learned by reporters from a press conference on the achievements of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (hereinafter referred to as the CCI) over its 10-year implementation, the project has cumulatively secured 347 government and commercial cooperative projects totaling USD 26 billion, with cross-border financing amounting to USD 21.7 billion. The two sides have jointly explored and established 33 pioneering, highly distinctive institutional openness outcomes. 

"The CCI has successfully established a new framework for point-to-point collaboration between Chongqing, China and Singapore, thereby driving face-to-face cooperation between Western China and ASEAN countries," stated Zhang Yongwu, Director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce and Administrator General of the Municipal CCI Administration Bureau. He emphasized that through the CCI, a growing number of Chongqing enterprises are accessing global markets via Singapore, while international resources in healthcare, education, and cultural tourism from Singapore are increasingly integrating into the daily lives of Chongqing residents.

Enhanced Connectivity, Driving Western Development, and Institutional Innovation:

The CCI Demonstrates Three Distinctive Features

The CCI is the third inter-governmental cooperation project between China and Singapore. Mr. Li An, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, explained that the evolution - from an "Industrial Park" in Suzhou, to an "Eco-City" in Tianjin, and now to "Connectivity" in Chongqing - demonstrates the distinct characteristic of China-Singapore inter-governmental cooperation continuously advancing with the times.

"Since its launch in November 2015, the CCI has broken through the traditional 'park-as-carrier' model," Mr. Li stated. "Focusing on the 'dual hubs' of Chongqing and Singapore, and prioritizing cooperation in the four key modern service sectors of finance, aviation, logistics, and information technology, the initiative has established cross-regional and transnational channels for the flow of production factors." He cited the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) as an example, noting that after its launch, the rail-sea transit time from Chongqing to Singapore was reduced from 10 days to just 7 days, with a 25% reduction in cost per container. Automotive parts, agricultural products, and more from Chongqing are now exported via this corridor, lowering companies' logistics costs and increasing their orders - achievements difficult to realize under the traditional park model.

The CCI is positioned to "Serve Western China," and its results over the past decade are significant. For example, the China-Singapore cross-border financing channel has already benefited 10 western provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities. Furthermore, the ILSTC has helped drive the total import-export volume between Western China and ASEAN to exceed RMB 1 trillion, truly realizing the dynamic of "Chongqing leading the way, the entire western region benefiting."

Additionally, the CCI has placed a strong emphasis on innovation. Over the past ten years, it has piloted open policies such as QDLP (Qualified Domestic Limited Partner) and cross-border settlement in digital RMB. In customs supervision, it pioneered models such as "Single Declaration, Dual Reporting" and "Bonded Aircraft Spares Distribution," which have been replicated and promoted nationwide. These institutional innovations have provided replicable experience for opening up the inland western regions.

"The CCI is distinguished by three outstanding features: Enhanced Connectivity, Driving Western Development, and Institutional Innovation," Mr. Li said. He emphasized that the project is not only a landmark achievement in the co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Singapore but has also become a vital platform for the inland western regions to 'go global.' The Ministry of Commerce will, as always, support the CCI's development toward higher standards and an elevated level of quality.

Flight Frequency Increases to 24 Weekly Flights;

Chongqing-Singapore Passenger Flow Grows Fivefold Over Decade

The CCI has yielded substantial outcomes in its four priority sectors - finance, aviation, logistics, and information technology - centered on the theme of "Modern Connectivity and Modern Service Economy."

In the logistics sector, the ILSTC initiated under the CCI now connects 75 cities across 18 provinces in China, covering 163 railway stations domestically, while internationally reaching 581 ports in 127 countries and regions. This expansion has significantly enhanced the breadth and depth of China-Singapore exchanges and industrial cooperation.

In the information technology sector, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) International Data Channel has been put into operation, increasing cross-border data transmission efficiency by more than threefold. This advancement supports over ten key local industries - including manufacturing, logistics, education, healthcare, and culture & entertainment - in pursuing international cooperation.

In the aviation sector, the Chongqing-Singapore "Air Corridor" has been established, with flight frequency increased from the initial five weekly flights to 24 per week. From January to October this year, the number of flight movements between Chongqing and Singapore exceeded 1,900, passenger throughput surpassed 230,000, and air cargo throughput exceeded 1,400 metric tons, representing year-on-year increases of 20.2%, 13.6%, and 2.5%, respectively.

In the financial sector, the two sides jointly built the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Cross-border E-commerce Service Platform and innovated the NRA (Non-Resident Account) model, which has facilitated cross-border settlement services exceeding RMB 400 million for enterprises in Western China.

Mr. Sun Xiyong, Deputy Director-General of the Chongqing Municipal CCI Administration Bureau, stated that beyond these four key sectors, the CCI has expanded cooperation into more areas.

In sci-tech and education cooperation, the National University of Singapore established its NUS (Chongqing) Research Institute in Liangjiang New Area. By introducing Singapore's scientific resources and systems, the institute has incubated 45 technology firms and trained 103 PhDs. Furthermore, Chongqing and Singaporean higher education institutions have jointly built talent training channels, facilitating annual exchanges of more than 500 teachers and students between the two places.

In cultural and tourism cooperation, Chongqing and Singapore have become significant tourist sources and destinations for each other. Over the past decade, the flow of people between Chongqing and Singapore has increased fivefold compared to 2015, with the number of Singaporean tourists staying overnight in Chongqing growing sevenfold. In 2024, passenger volume on the Chongqing-Singapore air route reached 252,400, a surge of 237.3% year-on-year, accounting for 20% of the total passenger throughput at Chongqing ports of entry and exit. This stands as vivid testimony to the deepening cultural and tourism collaboration between Chongqing and Singapore.

Future Focus: Digital Economy and Green Development

Forging a New Benchmark for International Cooperation

Having journeyed through a decade of progress, the CCI is poised to open a new chapter in its development.

In this context, Mr. Zhang Yongwu highlighted that against the backdrop of the launch of the 15^th Five-Year Plan and the elevation of China-Singapore relations, the next phase of the CCI will prioritize exploring new growth drivers in the two key areas of the digital economy and green development. By leveraging Chongqing's rich application scenarios and Singapore's strengths in technological innovation, the initiative will promote synergistic innovation to deepen cooperation from "joint infrastructure building" to "industrial revitalization" and "public benefit sharing." This effort aims to support industrial transformation and development in western China, ensuring that the dividends of cooperation reach more enterprises and residents.

In the digital economy domain, the focus will be on addressing challenges such as enterprises' "difficulties in cross-border data flow" and citizens' "growing demand for enhanced digital service experiences." For instance, in building the Digital New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (D-ILSTC), efforts will be made to expand the scope of container data sharing between Chongqing ports and the Port of Singapore, extending coverage to provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities along the D-ILSTC route, including international transit segments. This will realize "single-document processing throughout the logistics chain," further helping enterprises streamline customs declaration procedures and improve efficiency. Pilot programs on digital RMB cross-border settlements will also be launched and expanded to scenarios such as cross-border trade.

In the area of green development, the CCI will strengthen collaboration in exploring and advancing green and sustainable development of the ILSTC, green financial services, green aviation initiatives, low-carbon logistics hub planning, and the development of green and low-carbon industrial parks.

A specific example includes cooperation on green and low-carbon industrial parks. Chongqing will introduce Singapore's "virtual power plant + microgrid" technology and explore joint development of green, low-carbon industrial parks with Singaporean enterprises. This will enable more efficient use of clean energy and precise carbon emission management, enhancing the "green quotient" of Chongqing's industries and helping local manufacturing enterprises better align with international green procurement standards.

"We aim to establish the CCI as a new model for international cooperation in digital rule-making and green development by 2030," Mr. Zhang stated. He added that the initiative will strive to create mutually empowering, highly recognizable, and competitive connectivity projects in areas such as digital trade, cross-border computing power, artificial intelligence, and green low-carbon technologies. These efforts are expected to inject new vitality into high-quality regional economic growth and provide fresh momentum for multilateral cooperation.

Source: Chongqing Daily