Shou Xiaoli:

Last question, please.

21st Century Business Herald:

We have noticed that the annual "first meeting of the year" in Chongqing over the past two years has consistently prioritized the advancement of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Could you please elaborate on the accomplishments Chongqing has made in pushing forward the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle over the years? What are the future steps? Thank you.

Hu Henghua:

Thank you for your interest in Chongqing. For two consecutive years, Chongqing's "first meeting of the year" has focused on the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. The goal is to mobilize the entire city to advance this strategic initiative effectively. Over the years, with an emphasis on "unified and high-quality development," we have carried out 10 major actions, including the planning and construction of a modern infrastructure network and initiatives to benefit people and increase the quality of life for our citizens. We aim to foster more significant growth poles and new engines that drive high-quality development nationwide. Over the past four years, the combined GDP of Sichuan and Chongqing has increased by 2 trillion yuan, reaching 9 trillion yuan last year. We have made remarkable progress in the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Let me share a few examples with you.

Industrial collaboration has intensified in recent years. There is strong complementarity and industrial linkage between Sichuan and Chongqing in the automobile manufacturing sector. For example, Volvos made in Chengdu are equipped with auto parts and components from Chongqing, while Changan Deepal cars produced in Chongqing rely on batteries from Yibin, Sichuan. This cooperative pattern extends beyond the automobile industry. Currently, Sichuan is Chongqing's largest market and second-largest supply source. Last year, trade volume between the two regions exceeded 870 billion yuan.

Transportation infrastructure has steadily improved over the years. A "one-hour transportation circle" now exists in the Chengdu-Chongqing region. It takes only 62 minutes to travel from Chongqing's Shapingba Station to Chengdu East Station by high-speed Fuxing bullet train. This allows residents to watch pandas in Chengdu in the afternoon and enjoy hotpot in Chongqing that evening. When the Chengdu–Chongqing Central Line high-speed railway opens in 2027, commuting time will be reduced to 50 minutes. In addition to high-speed rail, 22 inter-provincial bus routes between the cities and 20 inter-provincial highways are under construction or completed. Currently, over 1 million trips occur daily between Chengdu and Chongqing.

Inter-provincial government services have become increasingly convenient for residents in Chongqing and Sichuan. The two regions have launched three batches of 311 cross-provincial government services, with over 18 million cases processed to date. Now, transferring pension insurance relations between the two regions no longer requires multiple trips. Residents can apply with one click on their mobile phones and handle everything online. The results of 112 types of medical examinations and tests from 413 hospitals in both areas are mutually recognized. Business entities can apply for business licenses under the same standards, with the respective authorities recognizing and issuing licenses accordingly, all completed within one day. Thanks to these efforts, we have provided greater convenience for businesses and the public in the two regions.

Sichuan and Chongqing are like family, and the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle brings them even closer. We will work together with Sichuan, adhering to an integrated approach and unified planning. We will focus on promoting coordinated development between Chengdu and Chongqing, in order to create a powerful economic engine that drives regional prosperity. We will move faster to build an important economic center and a nationally influential sci-tech innovation center, jointly establish a financial center in the western region, and develop the Bashu cultural and tourism corridor. We strive to showcase the remarkable achievements of Chengdu and Chongqing in western China in the new era. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Hu, and thank you to all the speakers and journalists for your participation. Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Zhou Jing, Yan Xiaoqing, Wang Yanfang, Yan Bin, Zhang Rui, Qin Qi, Lin Liyao, Cui Can, Huang Shan, Ma Yujia, Yuan Fang, Liu Sitong, Zhang Junmian, Wang Wei, Li Huiru, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, David Ball, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.