● Neijiang applies the "supporting role" logic to the electronic information industry: starting with chip packaging and testing to become the industry chain's "golden supporting actor" ● As upstream and downstream links of the industrial chain form tightly interlocking gears in Neijiang, the "golden supporting actor" becomes tangible competitive strength

On May 27, at the signing ceremony for semiconductor industry projects themed "Strengthening the Core Through Packaging and Testing, Linking the Future" in Neijiang High-tech Zone, two semiconductor projects were signed, with a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan.

Simultaneously, at the production line of Sichuan Mingtai Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. in the Baima Park of Neijiang High-tech Zone, located 15 kilometers from the signing venue, a batch of chips that had just completed packaging and testing were being packed and prepared to support downstream terminal applications.

On one side, new projects are being strategically deployed; on the other, daily production continues on the assembly lines... Currently, Neijiang is seizing the opportunity presented by Sichuan and Chongqing's joint efforts to build a trillion-yuan electronic information industry cluster, cultivating the electronic information sector from scratch. From 2023 to 2025, the city's electronic information industry has maintained a growth rate exceeding 40% for three consecutive years.

Behind these figures, this city located between Chengdu and Chongqing is unfolding a new narrative as the "golden supporting actor" for the Chengdu-Chongqing region.

A New Choice at the "Heart of Chengdu-Chongqing" At 6:55 AM on May 25, taking the G977 high-speed train eastward from Chengdu East Station, one arrives at Neijiang North Station precisely 39 minutes later. This train is one of the 214 passenger trains that stop daily in Neijiang.

As a prefecture-level city where every county is connected by high-speed rail, Neijiang is traversed by 9 railways and 10 highways, with 7 high-speed rail stations strategically distributed. Within a one-hour drive from the city center, there are four airports, and six airports are accessible within a two-hour drive.

However, transportation convenience alone is not sufficient. As a "China Automotive Parts Manufacturing Base," Neijiang-produced crankshafts and shock absorbers deeply integrate into Chengdu's automotive industry cluster. The food and beverage industry also consistently targets the vast Chengdu-Chongqing market.

As Chengdu and Chongqing collaborate to build a world-class electronic information industry cluster, Neijiang has applied the "supporting role" logic to this sector: starting with chip packaging and testing to become the "golden supporting actor" in the industrial chain. A representative from the Neijiang Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology explained that although chip packaging and testing may not have as high added value as chip design or wafer manufacturing, it is the most mature segment for import substitution with the most stable cash flow. Moreover, it demands extremely high logistics efficiency, which aligns perfectly with Neijiang's natural advantage of "reaching Chengdu and Chongqing within half an hour."

Taking Mingtai Microelectronics as an example, as the largest independent third-party packaging and testing enterprise in Southwest China, its Neijiang base produces approximately 20 million chips daily. Leveraging Neijiang's convenient transportation and logistics, products can be delivered to terminal customers in Chengdu and Chongqing in just two hours.

Expanding the "Circle of Friends" Through Chain-Based Growth A noteworthy detail from the signing ceremony on May 27: among the two signing enterprises, one is a long-standing partner, while the other is a new friend introduced by this partner—Shengxinke Intelligent Equipment (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., which plans to invest 500 million yuan to establish a semiconductor advanced packaging high-end equipment R&D and manufacturing base, along with a sales and service center for Southwest and Northwest China.

Shengxinke's establishment in Neijiang is not an isolated case of business-led investment attraction. An earlier example occurred between Mingtai Microelectronics and Changchuan Technology. In 2019, Mingtai Microelectronics, as a "pioneer" in Neijiang's semiconductor industry, was the first to settle there.

"The core competitiveness of the semiconductor industry lies in collaboration; going it alone is not sustainable," said Zhu Daoqi, Deputy General Manager of Mingtai Microelectronics. After settling in Neijiang, Mingtai Microelectronics, based on its packaging and testing business needs, precisely connected with upstream and downstream partners, directly driving the relocation of several enterprises, including Changchuan Technology, Jingyitong, and Weishikai, to Neijiang.

"Now suppliers are right next door, significantly reducing transportation costs. Companies often discuss technology, compete for orders, and even jointly tackle R&D challenges," Zhu Daoqi explained, highlighting the tangible benefits of "clustering for development."

Behind these scenarios is Neijiang's consistent investment attraction logic: business-led investment, chain-based aggregation, and targeted efforts along the industrial chain—addressing what is missing and strengthening what is weak.

Under this approach, Neijiang's semiconductor "circle of friends" has rapidly expanded. Currently, Neijiang has gathered over 50 semiconductor enterprises, including more than 30 above-scale enterprises, covering key segments such as packaging and testing, equipment manufacturing, and electronic materials. In 2025, the added value of above-scale enterprises in the city's electronic information industry increased by 44.9% year-on-year.

The strategy of chain-based investment attraction has given Neijiang's "golden supporting actor" an increasingly significant role. As upstream and downstream links of the industrial chain form tightly interlocking gears in Neijiang, "irreplaceability" is no longer just a slogan but tangible competitive strength.

Cultivating a "Chip" Ecosystem Through Meticulous Efforts With the direction set, how can enterprises be encouraged to come, stay, and thrive? Establishing a favorable industrial ecosystem is key.

On May 29, the Sichuan-Chongqing New Generation Electronic Information Technology Industry Pilot R&D Platform introduced an update, with the signing of a wafer-level packaging compression molding equipment pilot maturation project. Zou Shengxu, head of the platform's operator, stated that from its inception, the platform aimed to focus on specialized sub-sectors such as integrated circuit packaging and testing and electronic component manufacturing. By offering equipment sharing and bundled professional services, it has built a complete service chain covering "concept validation—pilot maturation—achievement transformation." To date, the platform has served 76 pilot projects from universities and enterprises, promoted the transformation of 20 projects, and successfully incubated 7 national high-tech enterprises and specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative "little giant" enterprises.

With the pathway for scientific and technological achievement transformation established, the challenge of talent emerged. Neijiang's approach to this is straightforward: bringing the classroom to the production line. As early as 2024, Neijiang implemented order-based training, establishing "Changchuan Classes" and "Mingtai Classes" at Neijiang Normal University and Neijiang Vocational and Technical College. By moving the classroom to the production frontlines, students gain exposure to real equipment and production line processes during their studies, enabling a seamless transition from "campus gate" to "factory gate" upon graduation, while enterprises secure talent in advance.

With platforms and talent in place, "patient capital" is also essential. To accelerate the formation of specialized industry clusters, Neijiang High-tech Zone innovatively introduced a "industry + fund" collaborative development model. Using industrial funds as a lever, it amplifies the effect of government funds to mobilize social capital participation, precisely promoting the landing of key enterprises and projects. By the end of 2025, Neijiang High-tech Zone, through the "industry + fund" model, had cumulatively invested in 32 equity investment projects, with a total investment of 1.8 billion yuan, of which 14 projects have commenced production.

Rather than striving to be an all-around champion, Neijiang focuses on becoming the indispensable "golden supporting actor" for Chengdu and Chongqing. By building platforms, nurturing skilled professionals, and investing with a long-term perspective—excelling in these three areas—the foundation of the "golden supporting actor" is solidified.