Chongqing Outlines 10 Key Economic Tasks for 2026

2026 marks the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and a pivotal period for building a modern new Chongqing. Facing both opportunities and challenges, how will Chongqing advance its economic work in 2026?

On December 22, the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee convened an economic work conference to review the economic performance of 2025, analyze the current situation, and deliberate on the economic priorities for 2026. The meeting identified 10 key tasks, issuing a mobilization call to the entire municipality to strive for a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

1. Fully Enhance the Development Capacity of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle

Centered on the strategic positioning of "Two Centers, Two Hubs" and the development of "Three Centers, One Corridor," an action plan for capacity enhancement will be formulated and implemented to advance the dual-city economic circle initiative. Collaborative efforts will be strengthened to boost regional innovation capabilities, jointly develop the Chengdu-Chongqing-Mianyang "Sci-Tech Innovation Golden Triangle" and the Chengdu-Chongqing Middle Line Sci-Tech Innovation Corridor, and deepen the implementation of the Sichuan-Chongqing Sci-Tech Innovation Cooperation Plan. The focus will be on fostering new trillion-yuan industrial clusters, intensifying the "Action Plan for the Leapfrog Development of Western Chongqing" for advanced manufacturing, and accelerating the joint development of three competitive industrial clusters: intelligent connected new energy vehicles, software and information services, and food and agricultural product processing. Financial services will be better aligned with the real economy, with key initiatives such as securitization of state-owned non-public welfare assets and investment in science and technology innovation funds. Additionally, efforts will be made to promote the Bashu cultural tourism brand by integrating and strengthening a series of high-quality cultural and tourism routes.

2. Vigorously Boost Consumption and Expand Effective Investment

Adhering to the integration of improving livelihoods, stimulating consumption, investing in infrastructure, and investing in human capital, greater emphasis will be placed on leveraging the leading role of domestic demand. A comprehensive campaign to boost consumption will be implemented, including pilot initiatives to build an international consumption environment, the "Chongqing E-Commerce Soaring Plan," optimized policies for consumer goods trade-ins, and efforts to unlock new growth potential in service consumption. Investment will be revitalized through measures such as rolling out the "Four Batches" initiative, refining the implementation of "Dual Emphasis" projects, advancing major projects of the 15th Five-Year Plan ahead of schedule, launching an innovation-driven industrial investment campaign, promoting projects in emerging and frontier sectors, intensifying urban renewal and enhancement actions, and further stimulating private investment.

3. Strengthen Innovation-Driven Development and Build a Modern Industrial System

We will uphold the strategy of empowering the municipality's manufacturing sector with scientific and technological innovation, and consistently cultivate new quality productive forces. The Sci-Tech Enabled Industrial Innovation Project will be implemented to accelerate the establishment of a national R&D and manufacturing base for automotive chips. Efforts to commercialize scientific and technological achievements will be expedited. The quality and effectiveness of the "Double Multiplication" action plan will be enhanced. Comprehensive advancement will be made in building Chongqing into a capital for intelligent connected new energy vehicles, accompanied by an industry-wide brand value enhancement initiative. High-quality development of key industrial chains will be vigorously promoted, accelerating the intelligent, digital, connected, and green transformation of traditional industries, and implementing a strategic emerging industries multiplication plan. The municipality will strive to become a leading city in the innovative development of the low-altitude economy. The capacity and quality of producer services will be expanded and upgraded.

4. Significantly Enhance the Function of Chongqing as a Comprehensive Hub for Inland Opening-up

The leading role of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor will be amplified to build a key strategic hub connecting Eurasia. Focus will be placed on creating a hub-oriented economic zone, fostering a new model of "industrial cluster + logistics hub + joint corridor development," and cultivating new business forms around ports, airports, and railways. The modern collection, distribution, and comprehensive service systems will be upgraded iteratively. The positive momentum in foreign trade will be consolidated and expanded, with efforts to elevate the "Chongqing Trade with world" brand and strengthen the "Invest in Chongqing" brand.

5. Deepen Breakthroughs in Key Reform Areas

A citywide pilot reform on market-based allocation of production factors will be launched, involving a comprehensive assessment of the six major factor categories: technology, land, human resources, data, capital, and resources and environment. A digital platform for factor allocation will be established. Reforms of state-owned assets and enterprises will be deepened, consolidating and expanding the achievements in streamlining, loss containment, and asset revitalization. The "Dual Excellence" initiative to foster modern enterprises and cultivate well-known brands will be advanced. Integration into the development of a nationally unified market will be intensified, with comprehensive measures taken to address "inward-rolling" competition. A full-scale, factor-based fiscal budget management reform will be implemented to establish a modern fiscal governance system driven by digital public finance.

6. Deepen the Digital-Intelligent Empowerment of Modern Governance in Megacities

We will strengthen the mutual empowerment of artificial intelligence and Digital Chongqing, comprehensively enhancing the modernization capabilities in megacity development, services, security, and governance. The capacity building of the Digital Chongqing framework will be advanced, with the in-depth implementation of a data quality enhancement initiative. Efforts will focus on fully integrating the core functions of the three-tier digital city operation and governance centers across all sectors and operational tracks, establishing a joint command system for megacities. The megacity governance large-scale model will be iteratively upgraded. The "AI-Powered Xinjiang Computing for Chongqing" project will be advanced comprehensively. The governance system and mechanisms for "Integrated Comprehensive Management" will be refined. We aim to achieve landmark results in building a highland for AI applications.

7. Actively Promote Regional Coordination and Urban-Rural Integration to Advance Common Prosperity

We will coordinate the urbanization drive with county-level towns as key carriers and the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, accelerating the integrated development of large cities with vast rural areas, mountainous regions, and reservoir zones. The development capacity of the central urban area will be enhanced, the Central Valley cluster will be optimized and refined, and eastern and western clusters such as Longsheng, Chayuan, and Xiyong will be expanded and strengthened, fostering a number of central urban vitality zones. The integrated development advantages of the Liangjiang New Area as a national-level new zone and administrative region will be amplified, building it into a primary platform for the city to undertake and implement major national strategies and foster new quality productive forces. County-level development and modernization will be promoted with targeted approaches, and comprehensive rural revitalization will be advanced in depth.

8. Strive to Achieve Landmark Outcomes for the 10th Anniversary of the Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Strategy

We will focus on improving environmental quality, guiding comprehensive green transformation with the "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality" goals, and accelerating the construction of a pioneering zone for a Beautiful China. Pollution prevention and control will be advanced under the guidance of the "Nine Governance" initiative, with determined efforts to win the battle for clean air, enhance coordinated pollutant treatment, and improve the quality of building a city-wide "Zero-Waste City." The diversity, stability, and sustainability of ecosystems will be enhanced, with the comprehensive completion of the integrated conservation and restoration project for mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts in the core area of the Three Gorges Reservoir region. Green and low-carbon development will be accelerated, including building a new energy system and developing new energy storage. Energy-saving and carbon-reduction transformations in key industries will be promoted, and green finance reform pilots will be deepened.

9. Comprehensively Raise the Level of Public Wellbeing Safeguards

We will spare no effort to stabilize employment and boost incomes, implementing actions to secure, expand, and improve job positions, as well as an initiative to raise the incomes of low-earners and expand the middle-income group among urban and rural residents. The coverage and quality of the "15-minute high-quality life service circle" will be enhanced, optimizing the layout of community-based elderly care, childcare, and cultural and sports facilities. The quality of public services will be upgraded, with education resource supply optimized in response to changes in the school-age population structure. The reform to coordinate the "three types of medical care" and integrate the "six aspects of healthcare" will be deepened, expanding the scope and improving the quality of centralized procurement for drugs and medical consumables. Supportive policies, including childcare subsidies, will be fully implemented.

10. Guard the Bottom Line of Preventing Systemic Risks

Efforts will be made to address debt removal and consolidate outcomes, continuously advance the resolution of hidden debts, the orderly exit of financing platforms, and the reduction of financial debts incurred by such platforms. The financial security defense line will be reinforced, promoting the reform and risk resolution of rural and town banks in a prudent manner. The real estate sector will be guided towards stabilization and recovery, with the implementation of an action plan to promote high-quality development in the sector, supporting reasonable financing needs for real estate. Social security and stability will be earnestly maintained, continuing the battle to safeguard workplace safety, and effectively carrying out disaster prevention, mitigation, relief, as well as food and drug safety efforts.

 

Four Guiding Principles for Our Work

Steady Progress with Enhanced Quality

We will adhere to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, enhancing quality and efficiency. Efforts will be made to deliver on the "Keeping Employment, Enterprises, Market and Expectations Stable" initiatives, with the expansion of new quality productive forces driving transformations in quality, efficiency, and dynamism. This will achieve synchronized leaps in the scale, quality, and benefits of economic development.

Reform and Innovation

We will persist in breaking new ground through reform, empowering development with digital intelligence, and fostering innovation as a driving force. Market awareness and a results-oriented approach will be strengthened, with policy support advancing alongside reform and innovation. Deeper reforms will ensure the effective implementation of policies, steering all endeavors toward innovation-driven development and accelerating the formation of a new model of high-quality, endogenous growth.

Risk Mitigation and Security Reinforcement

We will combine targeted measures with long-term governance, improving closed-loop risk management mechanisms in key areas. The focus will be on building a safer and more law-based Chongqing, elevating the municipality's intrinsic safety standards, and continuously safeguarding high-quality development.

Enterprise Empowerment and Public Prosperity

Upholding the principle that "a strong economy requires strong market entities," we will refine efficient and targeted enterprise service mechanisms. Strengthening enterprises will reinforce the virtuous cycle of stabilizing employment, increasing incomes, and expanding domestic demand, driving corporate profitability and public income growth, thereby advancing common prosperity through high-quality development.

 

Chongqing's Economic Development in 2025: Advancing Under Pressure Toward New Progress

The year 2025 was an extraordinary year. Faced with multiple constraints, including contracting demand, relatively weak market expectations, impacts from tariff disputes, and the overlapping tasks of debt resolution and economic data refinement, the municipality kept in mind the earnest instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping. By focusing on strengthening Chongqing's "Two Major Orientations" and leveraging its "Three Roles," and adhering to the working principles of "stability with progress and enhanced efficiency," "reform and innovation," "risk mitigation and security reinforcement," and "enterprise empowerment and public prosperity," Chongqing rose to the challenges with determination. This has propelled the economic development momentum toward new progress, maintained overall social harmony and stability, and boosted the morale of both officials and the public. Solid strides have been taken in the endeavor to advance the Chongqing chapter of Chinese path to modernization.

Overall Economic Performance: Comprehensive Improvement with Quarterly Recovery

Driven by the full implementation of the "Keeping Employment, Enterprises, Market and Expectations Stable" requirements, economic growth has rebounded, reversing the downward trend that began in the second quarter of last year.

Strong Momentum in Industrial Upgrading and Advancement

The "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system has seen comprehensive enhancement in capacity and competitiveness. Significant milestones have been achieved in building Chongqing into a hub for intelligent connected new energy vehicles. The relocation of the new centrally-administered enterprise, China Changan Automobile Group, to Chongqing marks a key development. A globally competitive ecosystem integrating "vehicle, road, cloud, network, and mapping" is being rapidly developed. The "Artificial Intelligence+" initiative has been launched, and the "416" technology innovation strategy layout has been further deepened.

Breakthroughs in Reform and Opening-Up

Strategic reorganization and specialized integration of state-owned enterprises have been advanced. The goal of resolving debt issues and achieving debt relief is now within reach, as key indicators - including progress on hidden debt resolution, platform exit, the ratio of platform debt to GDP, and progress on clearing overdue payments - all meet the established delisting criteria. A major reform adjusting the administrative divisions of the Liangjiang New Area has been implemented, comprehensively rationalizing its management system and operational mechanisms. Additionally, Chongqing's innovative practice in cross-border railway bill of lading financing has contributed a "China Solution" to the global community.

Enhanced Capacity and Competitiveness in Development, Service, Security, and Governance for Megacities

Efforts have been deployed to construct a modern, people-centered city. Chongqing has taken the lead in undertaking the comprehensive national pilot for Digital China development. The municipality has strengthened the digitally integrated city operations center, which connects three administrative levels and coordinates five tiers, and established a new "Integrated Comprehensive Management" urban governance system encompassing planning, construction, operation, and management. The fundamental capabilities of Digital Chongqing have been largely established.

Accelerated Progress in Urban-Rural Integration and Coordinated Regional Development

High-quality development forums have been held by region, outlining the construction of sub-city centers and regional central cities. The "2-Hour Chongqing" transport network has been largely completed, with the Chongqing East Railway Station and the T3B Terminal of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport now operational, and the Chongqing East to Qianjiang section of the Chongqing-Xiamen High-Speed Railway opened for service. The commissioning of the "Xinjiang Electricity Transmission to Chongqing" transmission project has ended the municipality's 28-year history of power shortages since becoming a municipality directly under the central government.

New Achievements in Enriching, Benefiting, and Securing the People's Livelihoods

All 15 key livelihood initiatives have been fully delivered. The campaigns to "timely deliveries of presold homes" and "timely delivery of housing" have been successfully concluded.

After five years of continuous efforts, particularly since the 20th CPC National Congress, Chongqing's 14th Five-Year Plan is drawing to a successful conclusion. The municipality is now entering a new phase of accumulated momentum, comprehensive advancement, and overall leap forward.

Actively aligning its local development with national strategies, Chongqing has seen the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle elevated to a major national regional strategy. The municipality is also playing a deepened role in the new era of the Western Development, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This has significantly enhanced Chongqing's strategic position in the national landscape.

Chongqing is committed to building a "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system and a "416" scientific and technological innovation layout. The advanced manufacturing cluster, represented by the intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry, has established a significant position in the global industrial map. The municipality is accelerating the formation of a comprehensive new competitive advantage - integrating a complete industrial system, full-stack technological capabilities, and a first-class industrial ecosystem. Chongqing's reputation as a "strong manufacturing city" is shining ever brighter.

Chongqing is actively embracing the AI era and deepening the Digital Chongqing initiative. Leveraging the advantage of abundant application scenarios in a megacity, the municipality is making forward-looking layouts for emerging and future industries. It is proactively attracting industry-leading enterprises and innovative talents, stimulating urban innovation vitality through comprehensive digital-intelligent transformation, and seizing opportunities in the wave of AI empowering all sectors of the economy.

Chongqing has taken resolute action to address debt, eliminate inefficiencies, advance reforms, and prevent risks. By using debt resolution and risk mitigation to force a systematic reshaping of development concepts, approaches, methods, and mechanisms, the municipality has fundamentally shifted away from its previous inefficient, extensive investment and operational models. Long-accumulated risks and hidden dangers have been effectively resolved, allowing Chongqing's high-quality development to shed its burdens and move forward with renewed vigor.

Today's Chongqing is seeing accelerated agglomeration of high-end resources. A growing consensus is forming that investing in Chongqing, taking root in Chongqing, and developing alongside Chongqing is a sound and promising choice.

Source: Chongqing Daily