A Better Life for Commuters between Chengdu and Chongqing

Chongqing- "We will thoroughly implement the coordinated regional development strategy, major regional strategies, the functional zoning strategy, and the new urbanization strategy," according to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who delivers a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Over the past two years, Sichuan and Chongqing have been striving to build the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Let's glimpse at several citizens who often commute from Chengdu to Chongqing and uncover the happiness brought about by the regional strategy.

"I like Chengdu just like Chongqing."

Li Siyu is a 22-year-old girl who travels between Chongqing and Chengdu about three times a week. Since implementing the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle national strategy in 2020, Li has sincerely felt the speed of the integration.

Li Siyu, a dual citizen travel between Chengdu and Chongqing. (iChongqing file photo)

"I like Chengdu just like Chongqing," Li said. After listening to the report to the 20th National Congress CPC, Li is full of expectations for the future development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

"Now, things that need to be done in Chengdu can be done directly in Chongqing," said Li, holding a Chengyu E-card, a monthly card for high-speed railway transportation. "With this card, I can meet with colleagues in Chongqing in the morning and discuss with customers in Chengdu Kuanzhai Alley in the afternoon. The monthly ticket price is 40% cheaper than the single purchase, and this card also applies to rail transit and bus."

All these benefited from the hundreds of administration services and convenience actions brought by the economic circle's co-construction. Services also extended to social security, medical insurance, and housing provident funds between Chengdu and Chongqing.

The shared goal of new energy-intelligent connected vehicles

In the image right, Hu Xiuying, a Chongqing entrepreneur in Gaozhu New Area. (iChongqing file photo)

This September, the city of Guang'an in Sichuan was incorporated into the Chongqing metropolitan area, and so does the Sichuan-Chongqing Gaozhu New Area, which involves part of the administrative areas of Gaotan and Tantong Towns, Linshui County, Guang'an City, and Cizhu and Dawan Towns Yubei District.

With new energy-intelligent connected vehicles and core components as the main development direction, Guang'an is fully embedded in the Chongqing automobile industry chain, with a focus on Chongqing's equipment manufacturing, automobile and motorcycle, electronic information, and biomedicine industrial clusters to develop automobile and motorcycle parts, new energy vehicles, green chemical materials, and other industries. 

Hu Xiuying, a Chongqing entrepreneur in Sichuan-Chongqing Gaozhu New Area, took over Sichuan Yongtu Auto Innovation Co., Ltd. from her family. "We plan to be rooted in Sichuan and develop new business segments, such as recreational vehicles (RV). The newly developed RV model will soon enter the market," said Hu.

Gaozhu New Area is a cross-provincial new area jointly constructed by Sichuan and Chongqing. Enterprises like Sichuan Yongtu Auto Innovation Co., Ltd. can enjoy favorable policies and platform services.

For example, the first cross-provincial tax collection and administration service platform was established in Gaozhu. Tax-related matters for enterprises can be handled immediately in an integrated way, saving time and workforce.

From a single railway to a railway network

On October 19, Liu Guiwei, the driver of the Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed railway, once again traveled between Chongqing and Chengdu. It was already the 31st year of him driving a train.

"From the green train to China Railways High-speed (CRH), and now the Fuxing bullet train, I have witnessed the rapid construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing connectivity network," Liu said.

Liu Guiwei, the driver of the Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed railway. (iChongqing file photo)

Seventy years ago, the first railway in the People's Republic of China was opened between Chongqing and Chengdu, which promoted the economic development of Chengdu, Chongqing, and the regions along the line. In September 2021, the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed railway was launched, forming a network in the Chengdu-Chongqing region.

The Fuxing bullet train, with a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour, reduced the travel time between Chengdu and Chongqing to 60 minutes.

Wang Dan, a train purser, spent her youth growing up with China's high-speed railway. She introduced that the Chengdu-Chongqing railway has upgraded the business seats to offer a more comfortable and safer travel experience, with the barrier-free carriage in more comprehensive access, safer wheelchair placement areas, and added braille signs. 

By 2025, the railway network will be extended to more than 9,000 kilometers, covering all cities with a population of 200,000 and forming a one-hour commuting circle between Chongqing and Chengdu.