By Li Kaixuan, People’s Daily
More than 40 cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements, including large-scale industrial drones, fully implantable brain-computer interface, and aerial welding robots, were unveiled by high-growth companies at a debut event on Chunxi Road in the Jinjiang Economic Development Zone, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province. The showcase drew crowds of locals and tourists to get a firsthand look at charm of science and technology.
The “debut economy” has emerged as a key driver of urban growth. Since 2019, over 4,000 first stores from both domestic and international brands have opened in Chengdu, achieving six consecutive years of growth. In the city’s major commercial districts, debut events continue to draw visitors exploring new stores, exhibitions, and performances, forming a new consumption trend.
On an ultra-HD screen, giant sperm whales glide gracefully through the water, with fish swimming behind. This scene is part of a digital exhibition on polar wildlife, which is currently underway at the Arte Museum in Eastern Suburb Memory park in Chengdu. The exhibition also marks the Chengdu premiere of the nature documentary BBC Earth.
“The animals on screen move with agility and I can even get a close-up view of plants growing,” said a local visitor surnamed Wang. He described the digital art exhibition as refreshing and visually stunning.
Novel experience is a major draw of the “debut economy.”
“In our 5,000-square-meter fully immersive digital exhibition hall, we transform documentary content using ultra-HD visuals, spatial audio, VR interactivity, and ambient scents,” said Chen Yu, director of the Arte Museum.
Eastern Suburb Memory park is built on the site of the former state-run Hongguang Electron Tube Factory, preserving its red-brick buildings and sprawling pipelines. Today, it blends industrial architecture with contemporary elements of fashion, art, and pop culture. The park has attracted more than 80 first stores, spanning music shows, digital cultural and creative industries, and brands inspired by “Guochao,” a fashion trend blending traditional Chinese elements with modern fashion. It is a signature hub of Chengdu’s “debut economy.”
With suspended bear toys, a flower-shaped spaceship, and a wide range of stylish products, the Wiggle Wiggle store in Chunxi Road decked out in vibrant dopamine-inspired colors is a popular spot for shoppers and social media enthusiasts alike. Opened in September last year, it marks the South Korean lifestyle brand’s first store in western China.
Chengdu is stepping up its efforts to become an international consumption center city. With annual retail sales of consumer goods exceeding 1 trillion yuan (around $139.3 billion) and a dynamic business ecosystem, the city offers broad market space for the growth of the “debut economy.” Sustained strong policy support is also fueling its momentum.
“The whole process, including inspecting the site, decorating the store and finally opening the store, took less than five months,” said Liu Jianxue, store manager of Wiggle Wiggle Chengdu.
Liu said that compared to standard outlets, this first store required immersive design to stand out and the decoration of its exterior was a complex process. The local government coordinated efforts to guarantee smooth construction. During business registration, the Bureau of Commerce of Jinjiang district launched a “green lane,” issuing the business license in just two hours of application.
Chengdu is ramping up support for projects making their debut in the city by streamlining approval processes through “green lanes” and tackling challenges brands encounter when launching their first stores or products. By enhancing the efficiency of hosting debut events, the city is driving faster openings of first stores.
At Chengdu Frontier Brain AI Innovation Center Co., Ltd. in Jinjiang district, several brain-computer interface devices designed to aid in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of children with autism are being tested. A nearby screen showcases the brainwave activity of test subjects wearing smart testing devices.
“We’ve developed an auxiliary autism diagnosis system based on electroencephalogram biomarkers, among other technologies. Two products were launched right here in Jinjiang,” said Feng Rui, director of the center. Since their launch, over 30 medical institutions across China have expressed interest in adoption .
In Chengdu, more than 30 percent of first-store launches and debut events take place in Jinjiang district. In the first half of this year, the “debut economy” fueled a 6.8 percent year-on-year increase in consumer spending across the district, marking a significant uptick.
From brand debuts, opening of first stores, launch of new business forms and models, to the roll-out of new services and technologies, the “debut economy” is constantly evolving. The growth of industrial clusters in Chengdu, including electronic information and biomedicine, provides a strong foundation for nurturing new products and technologies.
Chengdu aims to attract a total of 6,500 first stores, host over 1,000 high-profile debut events and exhibitions, establish 100 landmark venues for the “debut economy,” and nurture 500 emerging consumer brands by the end of 2027.
“Chengdu is positioning itself as a source of trendsetting culture, a leader in stylish living, a hub for cutting-edge technology incubation, and a front-runner in intelligent manufacturing. It is building a strong support system for the “debut economy,” continuously unlocking consumer potential and energizing the market,” said an official from the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Commerce.
