Chongqing began its first great development push in 1997, when the city separated from Sichuan province
and became its own municipality. In the process, it swallowed up an additional 82,400 square kilometers
(32,000 square miles). This makes Chongqing the city with the greatest landmass — as well as one of the
fastest-growing and most populated — in China.
On the global stage, Chongqing might not have the pop of Beijing or Shanghai, which are generally accepted
to be two of China's four, first-tier cities (the other two are Guangzhou and Shenzen).
Chicago on the Yangtze
Chongqing has grown exponentially over the past two decades. Chongqing has seen a double-digit growth
rate since the year it broke off from Sichuan. In 2009 alone, the city produced a gross domestic product of
$95.5 billion.
Accordingly, policies like the Go West Plan, the North East Revitalization Plan and Central Ascent have all
directed money toward smaller cities and townships. For most second-tier cities, this has meant better
infrastructure and the creation of specific development zones. Tax incentives and other favorable policies,
too, have lured foreign and domestic companies to set up operating bases.
Chongqing is now the city with the third fastest growing economy in China, according to the World Bank.
This growth is supported by Chongqing's port, crucial to southwestern China, as well as other new industries,
like aluminum and automobiles. With more than 1,000 scientific research institutes, Chongqing is also
finding its place in tech.
The city has recently been referred to as the "Chicago on the Yangtze" and, like Chicago, it does have a
monorail and a large body of water — actually, Chongqing has two (the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, versus
Lake Michigan).
High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
Chongqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone is a national High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
approved by the State Council in March 1991, as well as one of the 5 pilot development zones in China,
covering 73 square kilometers which include the Shiqiaopu High-Tech Development Park, Erlang Science
& Technology City and the High-Tech Park in New North Zone.
As Chongqing's high-tech development base, there have been so far nearly 4,000 technology development
enterprises being set up within the high-tech zone. Among them, there are 200 certified high-tech enterprises
and 300 foreign invested enterprises from countries and regions such as Japan, US, Germany, France, Italy,
Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan. A large number of high-tech product with intellectual property have been
incubated, so far some special technical campuses have been established, such as Chongqing Biological
Pharmacy Development Campus, Software Campus, Electromechanicals Campus and the Industrial Campus
for Students back from Overseas Study. Up to date 4 leading industries have been formed, which include
electronics and information, bioengineering and new medicines, new materials and electromechanicals. After
10 years' growth, Chongqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone has become Chongqing's high-tech
development base, a "window" opened to the outside world, a demonstration of technical innovation, a school
to train technical entrepreneurs and incubate high-tech enterprises, as well as a new community for display
of city images.
