During a recent press conference held by the Chongqing Municipal Government, it was announced that Wanzhou is set to emerge as an important urban sub-center for the city. This initiative aims to address the insufficient influence of the central urban area and alleviate the functions of Chongqing as a megacity. It is expected to drive integrated development in Northeast Chongqing and create a growth engine for high-quality regional development.
In response to questions from the China News Service, Li Qing, the District Mayor and Party Secretary of the Wanzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, outlined three key areas of focus for establishing Wanzhou as a significant urban sub-center.
First, regarding economic strength, Wanzhou aims to reach a total economic output surpassing 200 billion yuan. The district is committed to becoming an industrial powerhouse by fostering five key industries: advanced materials, food processing, equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical chemicals, and new energy, forming clusters of these sectors. Currently, Wanzhou’s advanced materials industry has already surpassed 30 billion yuan in output value, with a goal of exceeding 50 billion yuan by 2027. The district also aims to increase the number of enterprises with over 10 billion yuan in output to five, with two expected to exceed 20 billion yuan, creating a “flying dragon” effect of growth.
Secondly, Wanzhou plans to actively promote the development of modern agriculture and modern service sectors. The district will leverage its ecological resources to capitalize on local specialties such as rose-scented oranges, lemons, and fish sauce pickles. Wanzhou aspires to establish itself as a financial and regional consumer center in Northeast Sichuan, facilitating greater accessibility for local products both regionally and globally.
The third focus revolves around population concentration. Wanzhou recognizes that population size is a critical metric for any sub-center city. The district aims to boost its core urban capacity, striving for a permanent resident population to reach 2 million. Initiatives will encourage local graduates from higher education institutions and vocational training schools to settle and contribute to the local economy, alongside attracting graduates from outside the region. Currently, Wanzhou maintains an enrollment of over 100,000 students in its higher education and vocational institutions, producing nearly 40,000 skilled workers annually.
In terms of regional impact, Wanzhou, as a central city in Northeast Chongqing, emphasizes urban-rural synergy and mutual enhancement for shared prosperity. The district will enhance its influence, competitiveness, and overall strength, fostering collaboration with areas in Northeast Chongqing, Northeast Sichuan, and the Three Gorges Reservoir region to promote regional integration with higher standards and quality.
Li Qing further stated that Wanzhou will push forward with a deep integration of industrial development and explore reforms for the appropriate separation of administrative and economic zones. The aim is to create a distinctive industrial system reflective of Wanzhou’s advantages, generating results that benefit interprovincial coordinated development. Additionally, efforts will be made to accelerate the sharing of basic public services within the region, enabling Wanzhou’s “main engine” to propel Northeast Chongqing towards new speeds and increased momentum.
