China Elevates Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle as Western Growth Engine in 15th Five-Year Plan

Strategic Designation in National Plan

China has officially designated the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle as the new growth center for its western region, a key component of the nation's 15th Economic Development Plan (2026-2030). This strategic move, outlined in the recommendations for the plan adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, aims to foster high-quality economic growth, technological innovation, and sustainability across the region. The plan emphasizes development driven by 'new-quality productive forces' to enhance technological capabilities, modernize traditional economic structures, and improve resource efficiency, building an innovation-driven Chinese economy.

A New 'Fourth Growth Pole'

The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle is positioned to become China's 'fourth growth pole,' joining established economic powerhouses such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This initiative is a continuation of China's 'Go West Policy,' designed to narrow the development gap between the country's eastern and western parts. The region spans approximately 185,000 square kilometers, accounting for 1.9 percent of China's total land territory. With a population of over 98 million and an estimated regional GDP of 8.6 trillion yuan (about $1.2 trillion USD) in 2024, it represents a significant economic force, contributing over 6.5 percent to the national GDP.

Specialized Roles and Key Industries

Within the economic circle, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is set to become an innovation and cultural hub, envisioned as a 'model garden city' and a global center for innovation, science, and culture. Meanwhile, Chongqing is slated for leadership in high-end manufacturing and logistics, aiming to become a 'high-end manufacturing metropolis' and western China's financial and logistics hub. The region is already a major industrial base, accounting for over 10 percent of China's auto production and electronic information industrial output. It is notably responsible for producing two-thirds of the world's iPads, nearly 80 million laptops, and over 100 million smartphones.

Key development areas and projects include:

• Development of a world-class equipment manufacturing industry cluster.
• Establishment of an industrial internet zone.
• Enhancement of a comprehensive port logistics system.
• Construction of the Western (Chongqing) Science City, a significant hub for AI and quantum computing.
• Creation of a Twin-City Free Trade Zone to facilitate cross-border e-commerce with ASEAN.

Strategic Connectivity and Future Outlook

The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle benefits from its strategic location, situated between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It also serves as the starting point for the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, a crucial logistics route connecting western China with Southeast Asia. Significant infrastructure developments, such as the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway, which became operational in 2025 and reduces travel time between the two city centers to one hour, underscore the commitment to regional integration and connectivity. By 2035, both Chengdu and Chongqing aim to transform into fully modernized international metropolises, driving sustained economic growth and innovation in western China and contributing to the nation's broader modernization goals.