The Liangjiang New Area is an active participant in the build-out of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

It's been three years since the central government's proposal to build the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and major phased progress has been delivered after strenuous efforts were made by the two regions in Southwest China.

Last year, the economic circle reported 7.4 trillion yuan ($1.06 trillion) in GDP, with the growth rate standing at 8.5 percent.

In the first half of 2022, its GDP was up 3.3 percent year-on-year, 0.8 percentage points higher than the nation's average.

In addition, the economic zone's added value of industries above a designated size in 2021 recorded a 10.7-percent increase.

Revenue generated by electronics information in the two regions last year topped 2 trillion yuan and the combined value of their digital economy accounted for 27.2 percent of their total GDP.

What's more, the Chengdu and Chongqing governments have encouraged local universities, scientific institutes, enterprises and other innovative bodies and entities to jointly apply to undertake key R&D programs.

Furthermore, two expressways have been established or are being constructed between Chengdu and Chongqing.

From January to October this year, the China-Europe freight train (Chengdu-Chongqing) launched 4,580 trips and the routes of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor now connect 335 ports in 113 countries and regions around the globe.

Over the first three quarters of this year, total exports and imports of the two regions hit 1.36 trillion yuan, with about $3.89 billion of foreign investments in actual use.

Chengdu and Chongqing have also achieved data and resource sharing for a raft of public services – in reading, healthcare, government affairs and housing, among others.