Chongqing Unveils Action Plan to Boost Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle Development Capacity

Major Policy Lands: A New Development Blueprint for the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle

The "Chongqing Action Plan for Boosting the Development Capacity of the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-City Economic Circle (2026–2030)" has been officially released. The plan lays out a clear roadmap for infrastructure construction and digital-intelligent transformation in the Chengdu-Chongqing region over the next five years, signaling a new phase of acceleration for this national-level strategy.

Core Measures: Building a Smart, Green, and Modern Infrastructure Network

The plan explicitly proposes the implementation of a "Modern Infrastructure Network Consolidation and Enhancement Initiative," aiming to build a comprehensive, efficient, smart, green, safe, and reliable modern infrastructure network while promoting the upgrading and digital-intelligent retrofitting of traditional infrastructure.

In terms of specific targets, the plan sets several hard benchmarks for 2030:

• Transportation Network: Chongqing's expressway mileage in operation to reach 5,700 kilometers; Sichuan-Chongqing railway network mileage to reach 13,000 kilometers
• Waterway Construction: High-grade waterway mileage to exceed 1,300 kilometers
• Energy Security: External power transmission capacity into Chongqing to reach 26 GW
• Water Conservancy Projects: New annual water supply capacity from large-scale water conservancy projects to increase by 1.4 billion cubic meters

These targets span multiple critical sectors including transportation, energy, and water conservancy, demonstrating Chongqing's determination to comprehensively strengthen its development foundation.

Digital-Intelligent Transformation Takes Center Stage with Deep AI and New Infrastructure Integration

Notably, the emphasis on "digital-intelligent transformation" stands out prominently in the plan. In recent years, Chongqing has already made significant strides in smart transportation, smart water conservancy, and intelligent power grids. By elevating digital-intelligent transformation to a strategic priority, the plan signals that next-generation information technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things will be more deeply integrated into the entire lifecycle of traditional infrastructure — from planning and construction to operations and maintenance.

From an industry perspective, the digital-intelligent transformation of infrastructure is becoming a nationwide consensus. Through AI-powered intelligent dispatching systems, digital twin platforms, and automated operations and maintenance tools, the operational efficiency and safety assurance levels of traditional infrastructure are poised for a quantum leap. Chongqing's explicit designation of "smart and green" as a core requirement for infrastructure construction also aligns closely with the national "New Infrastructure" strategic direction.

Outlook: The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle Accelerates Its Rise

As one of the most important growth engines in western China, the enhancement of the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-City Economic Circle's development capacity has implications not only for the regional economic landscape but also for the national industrial supply chain configuration. As this action plan begins implementation in 2026, combined with the accelerating penetration of AI technology in the infrastructure sector, the Chengdu-Chongqing region is expected to develop a series of benchmark projects in smart transportation, green energy, and digital water conservancy, providing replicable experience for digital-intelligent transformation in other regions.

Industry experts note that the release of this plan will drive investment and industrial chain synergies in related fields. In particular, sectors such as AI infrastructure, intelligent manufacturing, and green energy are expected to see a new wave of market opportunities.