Urban digital transformation is promoting innovative development of the digital economy and speeding up the modernization of urban governance systems and capabilities. Science and Technology Daily reporters went on a field trip to Chongqing in southwestern China recently to learn firsthand how digital governance is driving economic and social development in this megacity.

"Data resources are an important basis for the construction of digital Chongqing. Its integrated intelligent public data platform provides vast data resources for the construction of digital Chongqing and a powerful digital base for the modern governance of this megacity," Hu Junguo, deputy director of Chongqing Big Data Development Bureau, said.

On the one hand, the Western China Data Exchange located in Chongqing is turning data into assets. So far, it has attracted nearly 700 data suppliers, listed more than 5,500 types of data products, and achieved a data transaction volume of 920 million RMB.

On other hand, Chongqing has also strengthened its computing infrastructure, and the city's computing power has reached 3,000P (1P is equivalent to 1,000 trillion calculations per second).

According to the data, Chongqing has 144 intelligent factories and 958 digital workshops, with 17 intelligent factories and 224 digital workshops given recognition in 2023 alone.

Digital enabling scenarios have been deeply integrated into people's lives and ways of production. The digital workshops have improved the production efficiency of enterprises while residents can log on to the digital platform for employment, enrollment, housing and other needs.

Chongqing will continue to deepen its digitalization and catalyze digital reform, improving the megacity governance system and accelerating the creation of a model city in the new era of digital civilization.