Chongqing's city slogan should come as no surprise. Openness has become a distinctive hallmark of Chongqing. It represents the journey of the mountain city’s past and its pathway for the future. Despite being neither coastal nor bordering other countries, Chongqing has steadily transformed into an international hub. Along the way, there are countless Chongqing stories to tell, numerous qualities of determination to summarise, and a wealth of spirit.
Openness has always been an active part of Chongqing's urban DNA. In 1891, Chongqing became one of the earliest inland trading ports in China to open to foreign trade. Over more than a century of development, it has evolved from a military stronghold to an inland highland of openness, from the poetic “river of spring water flowing eastward” to a comprehensive transport hub with extensive land, water, air, and rail connections. By overcoming inherent geographical disadvantages, Chongqing has become an international transportation hub city, boasting the highest number of open ports in inland western China. The development story of Chongqing is, in many ways, a story of openness. Crossing mountains and seas, connecting with the world, Chongqing has turned its incremental efforts into a surging tide of openness.
In the grand narrative of Chongqing’s era, openness shines even brighter. This April, the state designated Chongqing as a new inland comprehensive hub of openness. Openness is not only an overarching trend but also a pivotal mission for Chongqing. From the International Friendship City Cooperation Conference and the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade to the 2024 German Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises Chongqing Industry Cooperation Conference, a series of international events have unfolded, accompanied by tightly scheduled international collaborations. These milestones resonate with the dynamic melody of Chongqing's continuous expansion of high-level openness in the new era, offering unparalleled opportunities for transformative development.
For Chongqing, openness is not merely a development strategy but also a reflection of its broad-minded outlook. Historically, the city has undergone eight significant large-scale migrations, including the "Huguang Fills Sichuan" movement and the "Third Front" construction. These events fostered the integration of northern and southern cultures and the clash of advanced ideas, shaping Chongqing’s unique cultural inclusivity and its expansive urban character.
When discussing Chongqing's openness, one cannot focus solely on the China-Europe Railway Express, the Western Land-Sea Corridor, or the China-Singapore Connectivity Initiative. The discussion must also include the warmth and attentiveness experienced by entrepreneurs in Chongqing, and the "basket express line," which caters both to professionals carrying briefcases and to citizens with baskets—emblematic of the city’s care for its people's livelihoods. It is precisely this richness in meaning that has made "openness" a unifying concept and a cornerstone of Chongqing’s city spirit.
Today, "openness" is more explicitly defined, embodying Chongqing's respect for history, vision for the future, pioneering spirit, and inclusivity. This openness will undoubtedly be carried forward through pragmatic actions, infusing the city with boundless energy and vitality.