Chongqing leads tech-driven industrial upgrades

A transformative integration of education, research, and industry is underway in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, exemplified by institutions such as the Seres Super Factory, the Mingyue Lake Laboratory, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) (Chongqing) Research Institute.

Chongqing, an automobile and motorcycle hub, launched an initiative to develop a modern manufacturing cluster in 2023, with intelligent connected new energy vehicles identified as one of its three leading industrial clusters.

A digital and intelligent manufacturing landscape is taking shape at the Seres factory, where over 100 automated vehicles operate with precision, mirroring a well-coordinated ant colony, as they deliver materials to the production line.

Meanwhile, 3,000 robotic arms transform steel plates into car bodies. Each second in the workshop generates data that feeds into the automotive industry brain, a system that connects over 300 partners and facilitates data sharing with more than 100 suppliers.

Chongqing's automotive production reached 2.79 million units in 2025, with 1.3 million being new energy vehicles. Motorcycle production hit 7.86 million units, with 77.8 percent destined for international markets.

These achievements are supported by 1,231 digital workshops, 211 smart factories, and 20 future factories, alongside industry brains that cover high-end motorcycles, new energy storage, and smart energy.

Four major laboratories act as conduits, connecting fundamental research with industrial needs. Xie Youhong, vice-dean of the NUS (Chongqing) Research Institute, said, "We focus on new materials, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare to connect the university's global talents and entrepreneurial resources with Liangjiang's industries."

The institute had attracted 100 PhD students to Chongqing by the end of 2025, with many graduates joining local industry leaders such as Changan and Seres.

The city continues to expand real-world applications, providing an environment where emerging technologies can mature and thrive through practical use.