Chongqing — Chongqing is accelerating a sweeping upgrade of its service sector, reshaping both its industrial backbone and everyday urban life as the city leans into high-end services, digital transformation and consumption-driven growth.
Local authorities say the service sector now plays a leading role in the city’s economy, accounting for more than 60% of total output. In the first quarter of this year, the tertiary industry’s value added exceeded 508.1 billion yuan (about $70 billion), with a reported contribution rate of 74.8% to economic growth, underscoring its central importance.
The shift aligns with Chongqing’s dual national mandates as a pilot zone for expanding opening-up in the service sector and as a developing international consumption center city. Officials say the city is also preparing for its next stage of development under proposals linked to the 15th Five-Year Plan, aiming to strengthen modern services while improving quality of life.
Tourists dine along Nanbin Road in Chongqing’s Nan’an District, against the backdrop of the city’s illuminated night-time skyline. (Photo/Zhang Chunxiao and Li Ziying)
In Yuzhong District, within a digital economy-focused industrial zone, the transformation is visible in the rise of technology-driven service firms embedded in core production and healthcare systems.
One example is Yiyong Technology, a medical artificial intelligence company that relocated from Beijing to Chongqing and has expanded rapidly. The company develops AI systems capable of analyzing large volumes of medical records within seconds, identifying diagnostic gaps and flagging potential clinical risks.
It has been recognized as a national-level “Little Giant” firm specializing in niche, high-tech sectors. The designation refers to China’s program for small and medium-sized enterprises that are “specialized, refined, differentiated and innovative.” The company also contributes to a national oncology diagnostic database, participates in drafting industry safety standards, and reports that its technology is now used in nearly 100 top-tier hospitals nationwide.
Officials say such firms illustrate a broader structural shift in Chongqing’s economy, where services such as software development, research and development, logistics and finance are increasingly integrated into manufacturing and healthcare systems rather than functioning as auxiliary support.
Chongqing’s service upgrade is also reshaping daily life and urban leisure. In Liangjiang New Area, the food street “360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors (Yu Wei 360 Bowls)” has become a major attraction since opening, drawing large crowds with its blend of regional cuisine, cultural performances and immersive night-time experiences.
Visitors can sample local dishes, watch performances of intangible cultural heritage, and observe molten iron being thrown into the air to create a spectacular fireworks display. Since opening, the site has attracted more than one million visitors, according to local authorities.
Across the city, Chongqing is expanding “integrated consumption scenes” that combine dining, culture, tourism and entertainment, moving beyond traditional retail-oriented commercial streets.
The city is also developing new consumer spaces by repurposing riverside areas, historic alleyways, rooftop platforms and cave spaces shaped by its mountainous terrain. Officials say plans are underway to establish 100 new specialized consumption zones to expand urban leisure options.
Tourists take photos of Chongqing’s sunset views at Daijiaxiang in Yuzhong District. (Photo/Zhang Chunxiao and Li Ziying)
Municipal data show Chongqing introduced 435 new flagship stores in 2025 and hosted more than 300 product launch events, reflecting continued expansion by both domestic and international brands.
The city has also built 258 tax-refund stores for overseas visitors and expanded foreign-currency payment services in major commercial districts, improving accessibility for international tourists and residents.
At the community level, services such as elderly care, childcare, housekeeping and neighborhood convenience outlets are being expanded to improve daily living conditions.
Officials say Chongqing’s total retail sales of consumer goods reached 1.67 trillion yuan in 2025, placing it among the top consumer markets in China, according to local government figures.
Behind these changes is a coordinated policy framework aimed at strengthening both industrial competitiveness and public services.
Chongqing has identified the tertiary industry as a key pillar for stabilizing employment, investment and economic growth. Authorities are prioritizing digital platforms, scientific innovation, and the financial industry while supporting small and medium-sized technology firms to strengthen high-end business support capabilities.
At the same time, the city has introduced consumption-boosting initiatives across 11 sectors, including catering, tourism, cultural activities and elderly care. More than 500 consumer promotion events are planned annually to stimulate spending and broaden public access to upgraded amenities.
Officials say the combined growth of producer-oriented industries and consumer spending is accelerating Chongqing’s transition toward a more innovation-driven economy.
As national pilot policies continue to take effect, Chongqing is expected to deepen the integration of technology, manufacturing and urban development, further reshaping both the city’s economic structure and residents’ daily lives.