Original Title: Twin Cities Forge Ahead Embracing Great Changes, Striding Toward a New Horizon

GDP Reaches 8.7 Trillion Yuan, Total Imports and Exports Exceed 1.7 Trillion Yuan, Resident Population Increases by 435,000

In the early morning, a light mist hovers over the Jialing River as a thousand-ton cargo ship slowly enters the lock of the Lizhou Shipping Hub. After about 10 minutes, it smoothly passes through the lock and continues downstream.

« In the past, the dry season was the biggest worry for shipping—narrow channels and shallow water levels made it easy to run aground, » said an experienced captain with 20 years of sailing experience. Since the Lizhou Hub became operational, cargo ships can pass through all year round.

On July 5, the Lizhou Shipping Hub celebrated its 100th day of operation. Over these 100 days, a total of 2,706 vessels have passed through safely. This « super project » spanning the Jialing River has not only transformed water transport in Sichuan and Chongqing, becoming a core support for the construction of the upper Yangtze River shipping center, but has also generated 193 million kWh of electricity, equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by about 60,000 tons, providing stable clean energy for the Sichuan-Chongqing region.

It’s not just water transport; over the more than five years since the implementation of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle construction, the two regions have undergone earth-shaking changes and are striding toward a new horizon.

GDP Reaches 8.7 Trillion Yuan

Economic Strength Reaches New Heights

On August 5, the maximum load of the Chongqing power grid broke through 30 million kilowatts, reaching 30.196 million kilowatts, setting a new historical record.

Despite such an « extreme value, » power supply in Chongqing remained sufficient this year.

This was no easy feat. As one of China’s most economically active regions, Chengdu and Chongqing have seen rapid growth in electricity load in recent years, with a noticeable power gap.

By the end of 2024, the Sichuan-Chongqing 1000 kV ultra-high voltage AC project was put into operation, accelerating the reversal of this challenging situation. This is the first ultra-high voltage AC project in the southwest region, capable of transmitting up to 35 billion kWh of clean electricity annually from western Sichuan and other areas to the load centers of Sichuan and Chongqing, equivalent to the annual household electricity consumption of nearly 10 million families.

Beyond energy coordination, Sichuan and Chongqing have been engaged in a vigorous « two-way effort » in recent years.

The continuous optimization of the regional layout is releasing a « 1+1 > 2 » effect.

Looking at the « twin cores » leadership, Chongqing and Chengdu have implemented three batches of 112 cooperative projects. The regional GDP of Chongqing’s main urban area and Chengdu increased from 1.86 trillion yuan and 1.74 trillion yuan in 2019 to 2.52 trillion yuan and 2.35 trillion yuan in 2024, respectively.

Regarding « twin circles » interaction, the Chongqing and Chengdu metropolitan areas have improved quality and expanded capacity. Chongqing is accelerating westward development, while Chengdu is moving eastward. Integrated development in western Chongqing, the modern Eastern Chongqing New City, Guang’an’s full integration into the Chongqing metropolitan area, and the Chengdu-Deyang-Meishan-Ziyang integration pilot zone are steadily advancing.

As for « regional » rise, Sichuan and Chongqing are deeply implementing channel and resource development projects such as the Banan High-Speed Railway and the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station, driving active « integration into the circle » for areas like the Qinba Mountains, Wuling Mountains, Wumeng Mountains, Tibetan prefectures, and the Greater and Lesser Liangshan Mountains.

Accelerated transportation construction is compressing time distances and expanding development space for the region.

On land, the operating mileage of railways in Sichuan and Chongqing exceeds 9,700 km, and the expressway mileage has surpassed 15,000 km. On water, the two regions are jointly building the upper Yangtze River shipping hub, with the national high-grade waterway system of the Yangtze, Jialing, and Wu rivers— »one main trunk and two branches »—basically completed. In the air, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport’s fourth runway and T3B terminal, along

Jialing River

The Jialing River is a major tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichuan, and Chongqing regions of China. Historically, it has been a vital transportation and trade route for centuries, with its basin being a cradle of the ancient Ba culture.

Lizhou Shipping Hub

The Lizhou Shipping Hub is a modern inland port and logistics center located along the Yangtze River in China. It was developed in the 21st century as a key part of the nation’s strategy to boost economic integration and trade along the river. The hub facilitates the transfer of cargo between ships, trucks, and trains, serving as a critical node in regional supply chains.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and a cradle of Chinese civilization, with a history of human habitation and irrigation dating back millennia. It has served as a major transportation artery and economic lifeline for centuries, profoundly shaping the country’s culture and development. In the modern era, it is also the site of the massive Three Gorges Dam.

Sichuan-Chongqing 1000 kV ultra-high voltage AC project

The Sichuan-Chongqing 1000 kV ultra-high voltage AC project is a major electricity transmission infrastructure project in China, commissioned to address the regional power imbalance. It was designed to transmit surplus clean hydropower from the resource-rich Sichuan region to the high-demand urban and industrial centers of Chongqing. This project, part of China’s national ultra-high voltage grid expansion, became operational in the 2020s to enhance grid stability and support economic development.

Banan High-Speed Railway

The Banan High-Speed Railway is a major railway line in China, connecting the megacities of Xi’an and Chengdu. It was constructed to traverse the challenging topography of the Qinling Mountains and officially opened in 2017, significantly reducing travel time between central and southwestern China.

Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station

The Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station is a major dam and hydroelectric project under construction on the Dadu River in Sichuan Province, China. Its history is rooted in China’s efforts to develop renewable energy resources, with construction officially beginning in 2015. Once completed, it is expected to be one of the tallest dams in the world and a significant source of clean power for the region.

Qinba Mountains

The Qinba Mountains are a major mountain range in central China spanning the border between Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, historically serving as a natural boundary between northern and southern China. The range is ecologically significant as a biodiversity hotspot and is historically linked to the ancient Qin state, which later unified China. Today, it is also known for its cultural heritage sites and scenic nature reserves.

Wuling Mountains

The Wuling Mountains are a scenic mountain range in south-central China, historically significant as the home of the ancient Ba people and a region that resisted direct imperial control. Today, they are renowned for their dramatic karst landscapes, deep gorges, and rich biodiversity. The area is also a UNESCO Global Geopark and a significant cultural region for the Tujia, Miao, and Dong ethnic minorities.